ACCESSIBILITY AT EXETER PICTUREHOUSE

This page explains the current facilities for people with disabilities and is intended to assist you in planning your visit. 


If you can't find your answer here, reach out to us on our dedicated accessibility line at 02072 947908 (Text Relay call 18001 02072 947908. Check out the Relay UK app for more details). The helpline is open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, every day except Christmas Day.


Advance Booking

Booking in advance online or by telephone is always a good idea – this means that our staff can readily provide any assistance you require. We're happy to reserve wheelchair spaces or seats for any particular part of the auditorium if this is helpful for customers with disabilities and accompanying carers are eligible for a free ticket. See here for more info on registering for and using a CEA Card to book your Carer tickets.


If you have any questions about your booking, we have a dedicated accessibility line: reach out on 02072 947 908 (Text Relay call 18001 02072 947908).


Physical Access around the Cinema

Our cinema screens, kiosk and accessible toilet are on the ground floor and are accessible to all customers with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. We also have a lowered counter adjacent to our kiosk till. Screen 1 has a gradual rake toward the screen but no steps for the regular seats.Please note, Screen 2 is a tiered auditorium with 17 steps. There is accessibility to the back rows via an in screen lift. Our café-bar is on the first floor, accessible internally by 17 steps and externally by stepless access.


Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor. These are always unlocked. Accessible toilets are also fitted with baby changing facilities.


Parking

We have limited parking facilities at the cinema. We have 9 car parking spaces and 2 of these are reserved for our customers with access needs. There is a car park opposite the cinema but please note this is residential parking after 6pm. The next available car park is Mary Arches car park on Mary Arches Street.


Physical Access in our Screens

Screens 1 & 2 are located on the ground floor and all our screens are fully accessible to customers with limited mobility including wheelchair users.

All screens have dedicated wheelchair spaces, available in the following locations:
Screen 1: Row J, Seats 5-6 & 10-11
Screen 2: Row J, Seats 1 & 2
Screen 2: Row A, Seats 6-7

If you wish to book a wheelchair space, please mention this if you book over the phone or in person.

Aisles in our screens are located:
Screen 1: next to seats 1 and 18 and between row J and K
Screen 2: next to seats 4 and 5

Screen 1 has a sofa seat section and are double seats with armrest in between. Please note there are 7 steps to access the 4 rows of sofa seats. The sofa seat's base and back are approx 50cm wide; 69cm wide including armrests. These are sold as two separate seats.Sofa seats are located:
K1+2, in pairs through to K9+10
L1+2 in pairs through to L9+10
M1+2 in pairs through to M9+10.

In screen 1 our seats (not sofas) have recliner capabilities. In Screen 2 the seat bases fold up and down. All seats have immovable armrests, and chairs are fixed together. The distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 50cm wide. The distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 50cm wide. The seat base and back are 46 to 48cm wide; and 58 to 60cm wide including armrests.


Screen Sizes and Capacities

Screen 1
No. of seats: 167
No. of wheelchair spaces: 2
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 7.4m x 3m

Screen 2
No. of seats: 131
No. of wheelchair spaces: 2
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 7M X 3M



Customers with hearing impairment

Customers can request a set of headphones from the box office staff that will amplify the film soundtrack. We show subtitled (captioned) screenings each week, these will be clearly marked in the listings and on the website. Please note enhanced hearing by our headphones is experienced better when you sit just slightly to the sides of the middle in the auditoriums. It does not work in the sofa section of screen 1.


Subtitled (Captioned) Screenings

We offer regular Subtitled (Captioned) screenings, which provide a transcription of the audio from a film, displayed at the bottom of the cinema screen. Along with the dialogue from the film, the subtitles include non-dialogue audio such as "(sighs)" or "(door creaks)".

Check the cinema's weekly listings for current available captioned screenings, which will be clearly labelled. Please note that not all films are provided with a Subtitled (Captioned) track, so some weeks we may have fewer subtitled screenings as a result.


Hearing Loops / Induction Loops

We have hearing loops availability in Screen 1. The hearing loop helps to amplify the spoken word and limit background noise which might otherwise be picked up by the hearing aid. To use the loop system, switch your hearing aid to the 'T' setting or loop program. No other equipment is needed.



Customers with visual impairment

Audio Description will be provided for all screenings where it is available (not all films come with an AD track). Screenings that have Audio Description will have an "AD" logo under the film time on our website. In order to use this service you will require a headset which you can get by speaking to any member of staff.

We are happy to offer Large Print versions of our weekly listings flyer on request. Please e-mail exeter@picturehouses.co.uk to request one.


Audio Description

Audio Description (AD) is available in all screens except the sofa section in screen 1.


Audio Description (AD) is a narrated soundtrack where the action, scene changes and the actors' body language is described for people with sight loss. This additional soundtrack is broadcast through wireless headsets so only the wearer can hear it, and fits within the silent gaps in a film so it doesn't interfere with the dialogue. Headsets are available to borrow at the box office.


AD is available for every film where an AD track has been created by the distributor. To find out if a performance is available with Audio Description, please check the film listings on our website where they are clearly identified, ask a member of staff at the cinema, or contact the Accessibility Helpline.


Audio Description is experienced better when you sit just slightly to the sides of the middle in the auditoriums.



Assistance Dogs

Guide dogs are welcome.
If you wish to take a dog to a performance, please let us know when booking so we can arrange an aisle seat.
We will be happy to provide drinking water for your dog.




Relaxed Screenings

Relaxed screenings are specially designed to make cinema-going easier and more accessible to those who may need additional support when they visit. These screenings are ideal for neurodivergent audiences of all ages, those living with dementia, and their families, friends, and carers, but all are welcome.

Relaxed screenings will show films without adverts or trailers. Lights are left on low, the volume is reduced, and the audience is free to move around and take breaks from the screen whenever needed.

We typically show:        
A new release every second Monday of the month.    

Whilst we do our best to ensure these screenings happen consistently, please note that on occasion the regular slot may change. Make sure to check local listings ahead of your screening.




General Info and Other Enquiries

If you can't find your answer here, reach out to us on our dedicated accessibility line at 02072 947908 (Text Relay call 18001 02072 947908. Check out the Relay UK app for more details). The helpline is open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, every day except Christmas Day.


Find out more about booking a free carer place with a CEA card, our dedicated Accessibility Helpline, and our Relaxed screenings at www.picturehouses.com/accessibility.