News Story
We’re fortunate that our WTM venues are all wonderful, historic buildings. However, old and interesting buildings always come with architectural quirks. These can cause issues for any visitors and staff with access needs. So, we’re always looking for ways to improve our venues and make the WTM experience easy and enjoyable for all. Recently, we have been working with Clearwell Mobility to ensure we have wheelchairs to help customers navigate around our venues.
How did we get our wheelchairs?
Having wheelchairs in our venues is not a new concept. But after years of use by thousands of customers, they all needed an upgrade. In October 2023, our Development Team worked with Russell’s Mobility on Brighton Road. They helped us secure a replacement wheelchair for the existing (old and broken) one in the Museum. Soon after, we worked with Clearwell Mobility to get a new wheelchair for the Pavilion. This was donated in time for last year’s Sleeping Beauty: the Pantomime. Clearwell is keen to support local charities, such as WTM, that provide great opportunities and enrichment for the community. They were happy to help us again should we need it. Their Worthing showroom is next door to Tesco on Chapel Road. This is right in the middle of all our venues, so it feels like a perfect partnership. We are incredibly grateful to Clearwell, who have donated another wheelchair this year, this time for the Assembly Hall.
WTM team members Hannah and Gill collecting the Pavilion chair from Clearwell's Worthing showroom, December 2023
Why do we need wheelchairs?
It is essential that we have at least one wheelchair in each of our four venues: the Pavilion Theatre, the Connaught Theatre and Studio, the Assembly Hall and Worthing Museum. The wheelchairs are available for customers to use to navigate into and around our buildings. Our wheelchairs help customers access their seats with confidence. The wheelchairs are used for multiple customers at each event. So, once a customer has reached their seat or destination, our wonderful front-of-house team can use it again.
The wheelchairs are necessary for a variety of reasons:
- If getting to your seat would be a struggle in a crowd or through a difficult route.
- If you have mobility issues, even temporary ones, such as broken legs, or difficulty walking distances.
- Knowing we have wheelchairs can save you the time and energy of bringing your own chair and getting it in and out of a car.
One of WTM’s Customer Experience Managers, Richard, said: “Removing some of these accessibility barriers allows customers to feel confident they can safely navigate our venues and concentrate on enjoying the show rather than thinking about logistics.”
Emergency Needs
Additionally, having wheelchairs means we can help customers exit the building if they become ill or injured. They can get to transport, or around the building, with speed and dignity. Importantly, if customers cannot move quickly, wheelchairs also mean we can evacuate in a timely manner in an emergency. Richard added, “While they are hopefully never needed for this purpose, it gives us extra reassurance that if speed is required, we can have this option available.”
How can you let us know you need a wheelchair?
Phone us
The best way to let us know you need to use our wheelchairs is by calling 01903 206206. One of our friendly team members will be happy to discuss all aspects of your access requirements. We want to ensure you can make the most of your visit. It means we also have prior warning of your needs should the wheelchair from one venue become unavailable or unusable, and we need to borrow one from another venue.
Email Us
Additionally, you can email access@wtm.uk. Let us know any queries, or join our access scheme, so we know your requirements in advance. If you prefer talking to us face to face, you can always pop into the Connaught or Pavilion box offices. You can chat to one of our team or a Duty Manager to find out more.
Look Online
Lastly, see our Access section of the website for more information on all kinds of accessibility policies across our venues.
WTM is very grateful to Clearwell for their donations of wheelchairs. We look forward to working with them again in the future. As a charity, we are also thankful to Russell’s Mobility, too, and our other local supporters.