Plan Your Visit Find out how we will make your visit to the venue comfortable and welcoming. Portsmouth Guildhall Arrival Guide The Box Office is open: 9am-5pm, Monday- Friday, and at least half an hour before a show. When you arrive, there might be a queue down the road of people waiting to get in. There will be security stewards directing this queue. If you require early access, make yourself known to one of these stewards who will be able to contact the box office manager, duty manager or assistant manager on your behalf. They will in turn be able to direct you of the best course of action. Alternatively, come straight to the box office from where we will also be able to help you. To pick up your tickets, you will need a form of identification – a payment card will be fine unless the performance information specifically states that you’ll need to produce photographic ID. You will also be asked to verify your postcode too. We only ask this to ensure we’re giving the tickets to the right people. You will not be asked for any ‘proof of disability’ to pick up your access tickets, though you or others in your party may be asked to provide proof of age to pick up any concessionary rate tickets or if there is an age restriction on the event. Once you’re inside, there will be a number of security staff as well as front of house staff. If you need any assistance or you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask any of them for assistance. Toilets Accessible toilets are available in the Basement and 1st floor areas and can be accessed by a lift. All fittings comply with Part M of the Building Regulations. We do not currently offer a Changing Places toilet facility, but we will be including these in the toilet renovations. Customers with Medical Requirements We welcome audience members who need to bring medicines, medical equipment, food or drink to manage a medical condition. If you have any concerns about being allowed entry with any items you require, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. For performances and large events, we have trained medics on site and all of our duty and management staff are First Aid trained. Facilities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons Our Box Office and auditorium have hearing loop systems in place. If you would like to use these, you will need to switch to the t-system on a hearing aid. Please note- it is recommended that, if you require use of the hearing loop system, that tickets are purchased in the Stalls or Upper Stalls area of the auditorium. Details of signed performances will be listed on individual production pages. Alternatively, you can search for British Sign Language in our search function on the website. If a performance doesn’t have any dates listed and you would be interested in using this service, please get in touch with us via access@portsmouthguildhall.org.uk and we may be able to arrange this. Venue Accessibility for Wheelchair Users We have lowered counter positions at our Box Office. Although our bars do not have dropped counters for service to wheelchair users, our bar staff are briefed to come out from the bar to take your order. Accessible toilet facilities can be found on the Basement level and 1st Floor. We have a number of wheelchair and companion spaces on our wheelchair platform in the Main Auditorium. In our Studio, we have a number of wheelchair spaces that are reserved until the performance sells out, at which point they will be put on general sale. It is possible to put a chair back into the space if you decide you would like to transfer from your wheelchair into a seat, just let the Duty Manager know. Assistance Dogs Guide dogs and assistance dogs are all welcome in our building. If you would like your dog to be looked after whilst you are watching an event, this can be pre-arranged by getting in touch in advance. We will arrange for someone to meet you at Box Office, guide you to your seat and stay with your dog throughout the event. Strobe Lighting Occasionally, performances will use Strobe Lighting. We will update the relevant Performance Information page on our website if we find out it is being used, as we understand this could impact people attending. If you have any concerns, please get in touch, and we will contact the relevant external company to enquire. If strobe lighting is being used as part of a performance that you have purchased tickets to, we will of course offer a refund or exchange. We will put a notice up if strobe lighting is being used for a performance.