ACCESSIBILITY AT HACKNEY

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 cafe-bar, kiosk and toilets are located on the ground floor and are fully accessible to customers with limited mobility. Screen 4 is also located on the ground floor. Our screen 5 is accessible via 3 flights of stairs, or a lift (currently out of order but we hope will be fixed soon). Screens 1,2 and 6 are located on the second floor of our building and are accessible via stairs or lift. Customers who require wheelchair access may head to the top of screen 2 via taking the lift to level 5, or top of screen 1 via lift to level 5 and then a platform lift which will be operated with the help of an usher. Our screen 3 is located on the third floor and is accessible via stairs and a customer lift. We have one lowered till counter which is accessible at the far side of our kiosk.

Accessible Toilets

All of our accessible toilets are unlocked at all times and all include baby changing facilities. These can be located; one on the ground floor, behind the bar. Two the mezzanine level, one on the third floor by entrance to screen 3 and one on the top floor located in the corridor between screens 1 and 2.

Parking

We do not have any parking facilities located in our cinema. The nearest free parking is located within a 3 minutes walk by Tesco and that is free for 2 hours only. Alternatively parking is permitted behind the cinema on Valette Street but it is not free, local charges apply.

Physical Access in our Screens

Screens 1,2 and 6 are located on the second floor and are accessible to customers with limited mobility via a lift situated behind ticket check. Screen 3 is located on the third floor, and is accessible via our main lift. Screen 5 is located on the bar end of the building on the third floor and is accessible via lift (currently out of order). Screen 4 is located on the ground floor and is fully accessible.

All screens have dedicated wheelchair spaces, available in the following locations:
Screen 1: Row A, Seats W7, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 23 Row: K, Seat W1
Screen 2: Row J, Seats W1, 2, 3, 4, Row A, Seats 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Screen 3: Row A, Seats W1, 3, 4, 5, 7
Screen 4: Row A, Seat W1
Screen 5: Row A, Seats 4, 5, 6, 7  (lift currently out of order)
Screen 6: Row A, Seat W1

If you wish to book a wheelchair space, please mention this if you book over the phone or in person. Alternatively, you can contact us at hackney@picturehouses.co.uk and we can ensure that space is kept free for you.

Aisles in our screens are located on each side of every row:
Screen 1: aisles are located next to seats 6,7, 21 and 22
Screen 2: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 12 (until row D only)
Screen 3: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 10 (until row E only)
Screen 4: aisles are located by seat 1
Screen 5: aisles are located by seat 1
Screen 6: aisles are located by seat 1

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 44cm. The distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 62cm wide. The seat base and back are 47 cm wide; and 62cm wide including armrests.

Screen Sizes and Capacities

Screen 1
No. of seats: 295
No. of wheelchair spaces: 14
Able to run with audio description? Yes, best signal in first 4 rows
Screen dimensions: 15.26m x 6.49m

Screen 2
No. of seats: 112
No. of wheelchair spaces: 9
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 8.46m x 3.6m

Screen 3
No. of seats: 115
No. of wheelchair spaces:55
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 7.24m x 3.08m

Screen 4
No. of seats: 55
No. of wheelchair spaces: 1
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 6.57m x 2.8m

Screen 5
No. of seats: 57
No. of wheelchair spaces: 4 - note lift is currently out of order
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 5.93m x 2.5m

Screen 6
No. of seats: 38
No. of wheelchair spaces: 1
Able to run with audio description? No
Screen dimensions: 3.5m x 1.49m

We have hearing loops at all counters to aid interaction between staff and customers who use hearing aids. 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.

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 ask a member of staff.

Audio Description

Audio Description (AD) is available in Screens 2, 3, 4, 5 and the first 4 rows of 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. Please note: It is recommended to sit in the front 4 rows of Screen 1 to get the reception for this service.

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.

All relaxed screenings can be found at picturehouses.com/relaxed. If you need help navigating these listings, email us at enquiries@picturehouses.co.uk or call our Accessibility line at 0207 294 7908.