Access information:
- Accessible toilet
- Level access from street level
Brighton Dome - Concert Hall
The Dome Concert Hall is part of the entertainment complex known as The Dome, also comprising the Corn Exchange and Pavilion Theatre. It was originally the stable block for the Royal Pavilion and is situated just accross the Pavilion Gardens at the bottom of Church Street.
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Address:
Church Street
Brighton
BN1 1UE
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Phone:
01273 709709
01273 261516/261525 for detailed access information
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Web:
www.brightondome.org
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Getting There / Parking:
It is a ten minute walk from the main line railway station but the pavement at the top of Church Street is not brilliant, and the return journey is up a steep hill, so anyone pushing a wheelchair would need to be very fit!
There are four disabled parking bays opposite and just around the corner in New Road there is room for three or four more blue badge holders. New Road looks like a pedestrian only road but you can drive along it to park. You must enter from Church Street and you must park in the marked area only,(this does not look like usual parking spaces) and leave via NorthStreet. There is an NCP car park about half way up Church Street which has a special deal after 6pm for Dome users. Six hours for £7.
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Getting In:
There are two sets of double doors to enter the building, which I assume cannot be modernised because of the building's history, but doors open usually forty five minutes before each performance which means that these doors are wide open. If you do have any problems there are always staff about because they are checking tickets. Access into the building is level.
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Getting Around / Facilities:
Once inside these doors, in my experience you will not encounter any problems whatsoever. There was a major refurbishment five years ago and you now enter a very large open plan foyer with a very long bar. There are two accessible unisex toilets on the ground floor, one at each end of the bar area. There is a lift to the first floor with audio announcements on which floor you are on.
There is a room to the side known as the Founders Room which is used for special events etc. It has level access.
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Additional Comments:
Once inside the auditorium, there are various seats which can be removed to accommmodate wheelchairs. If you use a scooter you will be in the back row, but this is not as bad as it sounds, there is still a very good view of the stage. Infact, if you sometimes feel a bit claustrophobic in these places it is a good place to be as there is a wide gangway behind you. There is a radio frequency Sennheiser hearing enhancement system which can be used with or without hearing aids. Please reserve your unit when you book your tickets on 01273 261538. There is a fully refundable deposit of £20 on these units. Guide dogs are welcome, I met one in the "ladies" only the other day! Printed matter is available in large print on 01273 260825.
I visit The Dome on a regular basis and I have never encountered a member of staff who was not cheerful and helpful. The Dome has a diverse mix of events throughout the year. Please see the website for more details. There is a viewing platform which can be used by wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties when the hall is used for rock and pop concerts. The Lifts 'speak' the floor number when you arrive, but do not say whether you are going up or down or 'doors closing'. The latter is signalled by a long beep. They have 3-4 signed performances in a year. These are sporadic and not at regular intervals.
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Reviewed By:
Rose
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Review Date:
07/07/08
Published in
Music, The Arts and Cinema - Brighton
