Access FAQs

• Lift access to theatre level.
• Please note that as of April 2024,due to a leak in the basement of our building from the street outside, it is currently not safe for us to operate the lift at the St Ann’s Square entrance to the building.  We will have members of staff showing people to an alternative lift, please press the lift buzzer at St Ann’s Square and someone will be with you shortly.
• There are also steps to the Royal Exchange Theatre at both the Cross Street entrance and St. Ann’s Square entrance; these steps have railings on both sides.
• Doors at the entrance to the theatre are automatic to enable easy opening.
• Our Great Hall is all on one level, with level access at two doors of the theatre.
• We have three accessible toilets, including baby change facilities, an alarm system and mirror.
• A wheelchair is available for customers who would like to use it.
• We have a dropped counter at Bar Exchange and our Box Office.
• Assistance dogs are welcome and can be accommodated in the theatre or looked after by staff.
• There is Blue Badge parking nearby (these spaces are controlled by Manchester City Council), alongside good access to public transport.
• All access tickets are bookable online (of course you can also still book by phone or in person).
• We have a dedicated access email address to answer any questions and take feedback.

Both the Theatre and Studio spaces are accessible to wheelchair users. The Theatre and The Studio have six wheelchair spaces in total. It is possible for companions to sit alongside wheelchair users in both theatre spaces. Please book any wheelchair spaces in advance when you book your tickets so that we can reserve them and the adjoining seats for anyone else in your party.

A wheelchair is available for patrons who would like to use it, and can be accessed by contacting a member of the theatre staff.

Please note, the Theatre Module has seats over 3 levels – Stage Level, First Gallery and Second Gallery. Step-free access is only available to the Stage Level.

Bar Exchange has a low level counter section for wheelchair users. The Rivals Bar is on a split level, the lower part of which is accessible to wheelchair users.

Once you have filled in our access form, future ticket purchases will discount to £15. This price is also valid for one other member of your party who may be acting as an assistant/companion.

Please note that some access requirements (“Aisle seat”, “Stage Level seating / no steps/minimal steps”, “Sensitivity to strobe lighting” and “Relaxed Performance”) do not discount the tickets.  If you have any questions, or think there is something missing from the list, please contact us.

No, you don’t need to provide proof.

While we have made every effort to have all access facilities and performances bookable online, we do understand that online booking is not suitable for everyone.

If you are visiting us in person, we are open 11am-5pm Monday to Saturday and tickets can be purchased from our Visitor Experience Team based at the St Ann’s entrance.

You can reach us by phone at 0161 833 9833. Our phonelines are open for enquiries Monday to Saturday, from 11am to 5pm.

You don’t need to book for the Touch Tour, but it’s helpful for us to know how many customers might attend. If you are planning to attend, please select the ‘Touch Tour’ box under ‘Other preferences’ on your online account

There is step free access at our entrance in St Ann’s Square, with a lift directly to the Great Hall.

Please note that as of April 2024,due to a leak in the basement of our building from the street outside, it is currently not safe for us to operate the lift at the St Ann’s Square entrance to the building.  We will have members of staff showing people to an alternative lift, please press the lift buzzer at St Ann’s Square and someone will be with you shortly.

All performances in the theatre module have step-free seating reserved at stage level, in addition to several wheelchair spaces.

In order to access these seats when booking online, simply:

Please complete our access form and tick the relevant boxes to let us know you require ‘Stage Level Seating’ or are a wheelchair user. This is also editable in the ‘Other preferences’ section of your account.
Log in to your account and at the bottom, select Continue Browsing.
Once you have selected the event and date/time, please select your seats. If you’re a wheelchair user, then the wheelchair spaces will be marked with a wheelchair symbol.
Once you move to the checkout, your tickets will automatically be reduced to the £15 Access ticket price.
Please hover over each symbol for more information, such as which seat is best for staying in or transferring out of your wheelchair.

Meanwhile, the seats reserved for step-free access will show as stars (as opposed to the circled dots)

A wireless hearing enhancement system operates in both of our theatres.

The audio enhancement is available through a receiver for use in conjunction with a hearing aid or, alternatively, an in-the-ear headset.

When booking online, please complete our access form, or check the ‘Other preferences’ section of your account to make sure you have the ‘Hearing Loop/Enhancement’ box selected.

Our Visitor Experience team will then have a headset ready for you at  Box Office, and will be available should you need any assistance.

Assistance dogs are welcome within the building.

If you wish to attend a performance, a member of staff can care for your dog.

Alternatively, depending upon the production, it may be possible for you to take your dog into the performance.