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.
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).
Our box office, kiosk, café-bar and accessible toilet are on the ground floor and are accessible to customers with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. Cinema screens are on the first floor, accessible via a customer lift.
Toilets are between the kiosk and the café-bar on the ground floor, with step-free access.
An accessible toilet can be found to the left of the café-bar, at the top of the gallery. It is always unlocked.
The accessible toilet is also fitted with baby changing facilities.
There is a small, free car park at the cinema, with designated disabled bays. The barrier to the car park opens 45 minutes prior to the first programmed screening time of the day.
Additional NPC parking can be found behind the cinema on Ocean Way, just a couple of minutes walk away, or you can find more information on local parking at southampton.gov.uk.
All our screens are fully accessible to customers with limited mobility including wheelchair users. Both are located on the first floor and are accessible to customers with limited mobility via a lift situated opposite our main stairwell.
All screens have dedicated wheelchair spaces, available in the following locations:
Screen 1: Row L, Seats 5 & 10
Screen 2: Row H, Seat 3
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 harbourlights@picturehouses.co.uk and we can ensure that space is kept free for you. Each wheelchair seat has two accompanying carer seats next to it.
Aisles in our screens are located on each side of every row on rows A-K in Screen 1 and to the right on rows A - H in Screen 2.
Screen 1: aisles are located next to seats 1 on rows A-K and 15 on row A, 16 on row B, 17 on rows C - E, 18 on rows F - H and 19 on rows J and K.
On the back three rows, there are aisles to the left of L7 and M7 and to the right of L8 and M8. Seats 1 and 15 in these rows are next to a wall. There are no aisles in row N.
Screen 2: aisles are located next to seats 1 on rows A - H and J2.
Row L in Screen 1 and row H in Screen 2 both have step-free access. All other rows require steps to access them, with the main aisles in both screens featuring illumination and handrails.
Sofa seats are double seats with no armrest in between. These are sold as two seats and are located:
Screen 1: N1+2 in pairs through to N17+N18
Screen 2: K2+3 in pairs through to K8+9
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 52cm. The seat base and back are 48cm wide; and 63cm wide including armrests.
The sofa seat's base and back are approx 98cm wide; 131cm wide including armrests. These are sold as two separate seats.
Screen 1
No. of seats: 214
No. of wheelchair spaces: 2
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 9.4m x 4.3m
Screen 2
No. of seats: 97
No. of wheelchair spaces: 1
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 5.9m x 3.7m
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.
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.
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.
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
A family-friendly film every third Sunday of the month
A classic film every last Friday of the month (with interval)
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.
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.