Cinema visits
Rating system – 1 (needs improvement), 10 (excellent)
I have been visiting cinemas around where I live with my PA, these reviews are my personal opinions from someone who is wheelchair dependant and how I found the cinema’s accessibility. I do not believe in giving horrible comments, I only give positive criticism on how places can be improved to make sure areas are inclusive for everyone.
Cineworld, Corner House, Nottingham
Accessibility – 8/10
The accessibility to get into the Corner House was great, it had an automatic door and 2 lifts to get to the correct floor. Once at the cinema level, we approached the snack bar to buy our tickets. There was plenty of space around the snack bar and 2 kiosks to purchase tickets, drinks and snacks. Then we went to the allocated screen for the film, there were no staff around and to get into the screen there were two sets of double doors. This made it very difficult as I was in my manual wheelchair and my carer had to struggle to open the doors whilst pushing me through.
Seating area for wheelchair users – 7/10
The wheelchair seating position was relatively good, we were in the middle of the screen, unfortunately the only wheelchair accessible position was three rows from the front. Also, they only had two wheelchair spaces together, so I wouldn’t be able to go to the cinema with a group of friends in chairs.
Comfort – 7/10
The cinema was relatively comfortable, due to being seated three rows from the front, I was rather close to the screen, this meant I was constantly looking up. Fortunately, I sit in a reclined position, my carer however does not and she had neck ache by the end of the film. The cinema was a nice temperature and the sound wasn’t overly loud.
Odeon, Mansfield
Accessibility – 7/10
Outside the cinema, there are drop kerbs, but they are to the sides of the entrance, so I had to be pushed across the car park and over the speed bump to get to the drop kerb to even be able to get access to the building. Once at the doors, they had automatic doors on button touch, so I was able to get inside. The kiosks were clutter free, so it was easy for my carer and I to get to collect our tickets and the snacks were at a height that I could see and reach what I wanted myself. Yet again, we were faced with double doors to the screen and no staff around to help. My carer struggled to open the doors and pull me through in my manual chair at the same time.
Seating area for wheelchair users – 8/10
We were positioned in a wheelchair user space, this was to the right of the screen. I noticed there were three more wheelchair spaces within that screen, one either side of the front row looking directly up at the screen and one next to the space I was sat in. I was sat to the right of the screen, around 4 rows back and then the walkway was in front of me. It was a better distance from the screen but slightly sideways.
Comfort – 8/10
I found this cinema to be excellent, the only slightly negative was that the wheelchair space further back where I was positioned was on the end of the seating rows. This means I had to be angled in my chair, so I could face the screen. If someone else in a wheelchair was sat next to me, I would have had my back to them and the handles of my wheelchair would have been in their face, making it difficult for them to watch the film.
I will hopefully be visiting more cinemas soon, in different areas such as Derby and Chesterfield. Keep an eye out for my future reviews!
Thanks, Myles x