ACCESSIBILITY AT WEST NORWOOD

Advance booking

Is always a good idea so that our staff can readily provide any assistance you require. Accompanying carers are eligible for a free ticket. We will be pleased to reserve wheelchair spaces or seats in any particular part of the auditorium if this is helpful.

Customers with limited mobility

All areas of the building are accessible to customers with limited mobility, including wheelchair users.

The Box Office and the Café are on the ground floor and have level access from the street.

There is a stairlift lift in the main foyer near the Box Office for access to Screens Three, Four, disabled toilets and main lift towards the first floor for screen 1 and second floor for screen 2. 

Please note that Screen 2 may not be accessible for larger wheelchairs, with a sharp turn and limited space for maneuverability between the elevator and the door.

We can remove seats in each of the auditoria to accommodate a wheelchair. We recommend that you telephone in advance to confirm availability and book your space. The Box Office and bars all have adapted counters and accessible levels for transactions.

Visually impaired customers

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 in screens 1 and 3 for every film where an AD track has been created (most films do have an AD track, but not all).  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.

Guide dogs are welcome at West Norwood Picturehouse. If you wish to take a dog into a performance, please let us know when booking so we can arrange an aisle seat. 

Large print versions of our film schedule are also available on request from a member of staff.

Customers with impaired hearing

There is an induction loop in the Box Office and infrared facilities in all four screens. To use the infrared system please ask for receiving equipment at the Box Office. Certain performances carry subtitles and these are clearly indicated in the programme.

Toilets

There are fully accessible separate toilets on the ground floor and first floor for wheelchair users. There is an emergency call-point inside should you need to summon assistance.

Blue badge parking

There are three spaces for disabled badge holders in the cinema car park located at the back of our building.

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    
A family-friendly film every third Sunday 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.

Bookings and general enquiries

Wheelchair spaces and Carers tickets are bookable online. (For Carers Tickets please see Carers section). Alternatively to book wheelchair spaces or carer tickets by phone, or for all other accessibility enquires, please call our dedicated accessibility hotline 02072 947908 (Text Relay call 18001 02072 947908).