It was noted that the 6.3.3 Ceramic Teapot Cafe, Needham Market: entrance door is very narrow and there is a step inside. The Regal Theatre, Stowmarket: 6.3.4.1 A small group of Forum members had met with the Manager of the Regal Theatre on the 11th August and a report of that meeting had been sent out with the meeting papers. 6.3.4.2 Members had first looked at the accessibility of the car park next to the Regal Theatre which is owned by Mid Suffolk District Council. There are spaces for blue badge holders near to the entrance to the car park but it would be helpful if there were also spaces for blue badge holders close to the Theatre entrance. 6.3.4.3 is an accessible toilet on the outside of the Regal but bollards and cars are in the way of the entrance door. Clearer signage is needed to this toilet. It is understood that this toilet is not often used but it is kept clean by staff from the Regal Theatre. 6.3.4.4 Members asked that Gary Starling be made aware of the suggestions for improving the car park and the signage and accessibility of the accessible toilet. Action: Gary Starling 6.3.4.5 The ramp into the Theatre is accessible, leading to the bar and ticket office. There are no obstacles to accessing these areas. 6.3.4.6 Whilst the access to the auditorium is and not difficult, the floor slopes down to the front of the stage. There are four spaces for wheelchair users at the front of the auditorium, 2 at each end of rows 1 and 2 but behind each other so 2 wheelchair users would not be able to sit next to one another. For a group booking, it is possible to remove all the seats in row 1. Whilst some disabled people find this acceptable, others find sitting at the front very difficult. However, the Manager said that the seats in the back row are not removable and therefore there is no instant solution to the problem that has been raised. It may be difficult to justify the expense of changing the seats in the back row to create a temporary arrangement. 6.3.4.7 The fire exits by the front rows in the auditorium and close to the wheelchair spaces are inaccessible. Whilst a disabled person
6.3.3 Ceramic Teapot Cafe, Needham Market: It was noted that the entrance door is very narrow and there is a step inside. The Regal Theatre, Stowmarket: 6.3.4.1 A small group of Forum members had met with the Manager of the Regal Theatre on the 11th August and a report of that meeting had been sent out with the meeting papers. 6.3.4.2 Members had first looked at the accessibility of the car park next to the Regal Theatre which is owned by Mid Suffolk District Council. There are spaces for blue badge holders near to the entrance to the car park but it would be helpful if there were also spaces for blue badge holders close to the Theatre entrance. 6.3.4.3 is an accessible toilet on the outside of the Regal but bollards and cars are in the way of the entrance door. Clearer signage is needed to this toilet. It is understood that this toilet is not often used but it is kept clean by staff from the Regal Theatre. 6.3.4.4 Members asked that Gary Starling be made aware of the suggestions for improving the car park and the signage and accessibility of the accessible toilet. Action: Gary Starling 6.3.4.5 The ramp into the Theatre is accessible, leading to the bar and ticket office. There are no obstacles to accessing these areas. 6.3.4.6 Whilst the access to the auditorium is and not difficult, the floor slopes down to the front of the stage. There are four spaces for wheelchair users at the front of the auditorium, 2 at each end of rows 1 and 2 but behind each other so 2 wheelchair users would not be able to sit next to one another. For a group booking, it is possible to remove all the seats in row 1. Whilst some disabled people find this acceptable, others find sitting at the front very difficult. However, the Manager said that the seats in the back row are not removable and therefore there is no instant solution to the problem that has been raised. It may be difficult to justify the expense of changing the seats in the back row to create a temporary arrangement. 6.3.4.7 The fire exits by the front rows in the auditorium and close to the wheelchair spaces are inaccessible. Whilst a disabled person
Mid-Suffolk-Disability-Forum-Minutes-2016-10-Final-Copy.docx