Theatre Severn and Old Market Hall access consultation

Proposal

Why are we consulting on the access policy at Theatre Severn and the Old Market Hall?

We've been working to review the delivery of access arrangements at Theatre Severn and the Old Market Hall in Shropshire.

A review is necessary because we believe that the arrangements currently in place could be inadequate and we're keen to remove any unnecessary barriers to booking their services. If D/deaf, visually impaired, disabled people and wheelchair users can't book their seats online, they may be disadvantaged and discriminated against by the venues, and our primary objective is to level this and offer online booking to all.

This local work is taking place alongside theatres and venues nationally looking at adopting revised access policies.

Before any decisions can be taken or a future access policy developed, we need to understand the views of individuals and groups who use Theatre Severn and the Old Market Hall: the public, and local services and organisations. This consultation is designed to obtain this important feedback.

What are we hoping to achieve?

Through this consultation, we aim to collect information that will allow the development of a new access policy which will address:

• Online booking for all
• Equality on ticket price and booking process
• Removing barriers
• Focusing the policy on need, not documents and income.

We're keen to remove any unnecessary barriers to booking and our services, such as the insistence that documentary proof of eligibility must be provided in person before access is granted to selected concessions. Without access to online booking, disabled audiences also encounter a barrier of booking limited to box office opening hours, and may miss out on popular tickets or preferred seats.

We propose implementing an updated policy in common with many similar venues whereby the first ticket is offered at a standard or concessionary price, and a second ticket for an ‘essential companion' is complimentary, free of charge. To those who are eligible, total cost to attend will remain comparable.

Eligible customers will be asked to submit a short application, briefly stating why they require an essential companion to access our services. This application could be submitted online, via email, by post or in person. While previous concessions focused on documentary proof and assumptions about income, the Essential Companion Scheme is focused on delivering improved access based on need. The new scheme will therefore be broader and encompass people with less visible disabilities such as anxiety, autism or dementia.

When will the consultation close?

The consultation will run for eight weeks, from 4 October 2019 to 29 November 2019.

Which methods of engagement are being used?

Within the consultation period a mixed method of engagement will be used to obtain as much feedback as possible. Engagement opportunities include:

• Feedback surveys for
  • Customers of Theatre Severn and the Old Market Hall
  • Stakeholders (eg services within the public sector, voluntary sector, town and parish councils etc)
  • Public survey
• Email feedback options for more detailed comments
• Meeting, discussion and workshop with Shropshire Disability Network
• Individual meetings with key stakeholders (available on request)
• Provision of BSL interpreter for meetings

How can I get involved?

You can complete a short survey by clicking on the 'How to get involved' tab on this page. It should take you approximately 10-15 minutes to complete depending on how many comments you make.

You can also provide feedback by email. Please title your email Theatre Severn and OMH Access Consultation and email: TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk

You can also provide any comments or other documents for consideration by writing to:

Theatre Severn and OMH Access Consultation 2019, c/o Shropshire Council, Feedback and Insight Team (1L23), Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND

We'll also be visiting different stakeholder groups and attending a range of meetings during the consultation period.

Throughout the consultation we'll be promoting feedback opportunities through Shropshire Council's website, social media channels and articles in local newsletters and other publications.

How will the feedback be used?

Your feedback will be used to develop a proposal for the future delivery of access at Theatre Severn and the Old Market Hall in Shropshire. The proposal will be presented to the council's cabinet for decision. Work will take place to outline:

• Levels of access need in Shropshire and priorities based on an assessment of all available data
• Any changes needed to respond to the feedback obtained through the consultation
• A plan of how any changes will be implemented with clear delivery responsibilities, targets, and timescales
• An outline of how impact will be measured, and access policies reviewed

When will the results of the consultation be available?

The results of the consultation and proposals for the future access policy will be made to the council's cabinet on 11 December 2019. Papers for cabinet meetings are public documents and can be found on our Committee Services pages.

What other evidence will be used to inform the new access policy?

Work has been taking place to gather together a wide range of evidence including national research and guidance, and data about and from local services. This information, added to the feedback obtained through the consultation, will help to inform future decision making. Key documents include:

• Advice sought from Attitude Is Everything
• Received further guidance and consultation from our box office service provider Spektrix (attached)
• We also undertook online research into access provision and discounts at other theatres in the UK. (attached)

Who will be involved in the consultation?

We'll be promoting the consultation as widely as possible to obtain a diversity of views. We will also take steps to ensure the following stakeholder groups are made aware of how they can participate in the consultation:

• Existing customers of Theatre Severn and the Old Market Hall
• Schools / colleges
• Voluntary and community sector organisations and networks (including social enterprise)
• Local partnerships
• Public sector bodies
• Town and parish councils
• Shropshire Council elected members and officers
• And more….

To find out more please email TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk