Venue Description

The Ulster Hall is a Victorian Concert Hall located on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. It first opened in 1862 and along with its sister venue, the Waterfront Hall. We host a wide variety of events including Ulster Orchestra concerts, comedy shows and rock gigs. The venue can also be hired for private or corporate functions, weddings and conferences.

Accessibility

The main entrance of the Ulster Hall faces onto Bedford Street. Access is up 3 steps and there are grab rails available. There is a sloped entrance at the front (to the right of the building) leading to a glazed porch which allows level access. Doors into the porch are automatic and the next door, into our Main Foyer, is operated by a push pad. Our Box Office is in the Main Foyer. It has a lowered counter section and Induction Loop There are 2 main performance spaces – the Grand Hall and the Group Space. We have ground floor and balcony wheelchair seating available in the Grand Hall. Seating on the ground floor is level and seating on the balcony is tiered. Access to balcony seating and the Group Space is by a standard lift (available for use by all patrons) or staircase. The lift has lowered control positions, speech indication and Braille Signage. We have an infra red system in the Grand Hall with headsets available on request.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/ulsterhall/visitulsterhall.aspx

Awards List

The Ulster Hall has been awarded Arts and Disability Equality Charter Status. The Charter is a measure of good practice and high standards with regard to disability equality throughout the organisation and is awarded by a panel of assessors representing Adapt, Arts & Disability Forum and Open Arts.

Toilets

There is one accessible toilet on the Ground Floor and one on the Balcony level. Doors are wide enough for both manual and power wheelchairs. The Ground floor toilet has an easy turn lock and grab rails (it's also larger than the balcony accessible toilet). The balcony accessible toilet locks by lifting the door handle up. There are 6 x ‘ambulant disabled’ cubicles front of house and we can offer public access to Ground Floor changing/ shower facilities on request.

Staff

Our Front of House and Box Office staff are usually the first point of contact a member of the public will have with us. As part of staff induction training we focus on disability awareness as well as providing the practical information they will need such as how to advise on the use of an infra red headset. There is always a manager on duty during our events and should you have any queries please let them or the Front of House staff know and we'll be happy to help.