It is important to us that our venue is accessible to everyone, and we strive to offer the best experience possible to all visitors. If you have any access questions regarding your visit and would like to speak to our friendly team, please email us at boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk or call our box office on 01245 606505. Alternatively, if you have specific requirements like booking wheelchair spaces and getting essential companion tickets then see below for details of our access scheme.

Want to know what to expect when visiting our venue? Download our theatre visual story here.

Our Access Scheme

Our aim is for Chelmsford Theatre to be accessible and inclusive, and our Access Scheme offers an opportunity for you to tell us about any access needs, so that we can best accommodate your visit and ensure you have an enjoyable experience.

The scheme is free to join and designed to help our staff deliver the best possible standard of service to you. By joining the scheme, you will be able to:

  • Tell us about your access requirements, so that we can best accommodate your needs.
  • Book tickets online for captioned, relaxed, BSL interpreted, and audio described performances.
  • Book a wheelchair space online.
  • Book free tickets for your Essential Companion/Personal Assistant (Applicable to those aged 14 and over).
  • Keep up to date with forthcoming accessible performances.

To join the scheme simply click 'Learn More' below and fill in the form. Alternatively, you can join by calling the Box Office on 01245 606 505, Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Submit a form

Your Visit

If you need any assistance on the day of your visit, please make yourself known to our approachable and well-trained staff members.

There is step free access to the main house stalls, studio auditorium, and ground floor bars. There is currently no lift access to the first-floor balcony. We have an accessible toilet and a baby changing facility located in a corridor in Chelmsford Theatre foyer. Chelmsford Theatre Studio has tiered seating from row D backwards and the main entrance to the theatre is via steps at the back of the auditorium. Step free access to rows A to C is available via an access route to the side of the auditorium. Please talk to a member of staff if you need assistance with navigating the building. Sound limiting plugs are available, just ask a member of the front of house team when you arrive. Assistance and hearing dogs, including those in training, are welcome at our venue.

Hearing Facilities

Our front of house spaces are equipped with hearing loop systems, located at our box office and till points indicated by the hearing loop signs. Our auditoriums are equipped with infrared assistive listening systems. Both infrared headphone receivers and necklace style induction loop transceivers (which work in tandem with an existing hearing aid set to ‘T’) are available. These can be requested from the Front of House team before the performance commences. No fee is charged for the use of these receivers. We recommend patrons that will be using the assisted listening system to book seats in the centre of the auditorium where available, for both Chelmsford Theatre, and Chelmsford Theatre Studio.

Signed Performances

We arrange BSL interpreted performances of selected shows. The signer will normally be positioned on the left-hand side of the auditorium from the audience perspective. Please inform the Box Office at the time of booking, so seats can be allocated that will optimise the view of the signer. Tickets can be booked via the box office or online by joining our access scheme.

Audio Described Performances

Some performances and films are described for those with a visual impairment. Infrared headsets can be requested from the Front of House team before the performance commences.

Captioned Performances

We arrange captioned performances on selected shows. Dialogue, sound effects, and lyrics are displayed in English on text screens. Please inform the Box Office at the time of booking, so seats can be allocated that will optimise the view of the captioning screens. Tickets can be booked via the box office or online by joining our access scheme.

Relaxed Performances

These are designed for anyone with additional needs, including but not limited to, the autism spectrum, dementia, or anyone who benefits from a relaxed environment, to reduce anxiety or stress. Some of the adjustments include changes to lighting and sound to eliminate surprise and soften their impact. Staff and performers will have a relaxed attitude to noise from the audience. 

We understand that some people may not be able to stay sitting for long periods of time and so customers are free to move around the auditorium during the performance, and we offer a breakout area outside the auditorium. A printed guide which includes information about our venue and the show itself can be requested from the Box Office. We offer a relaxed pantomime performance every year plus relaxed performances on visiting shows where possible. Tickets can be booked via the box office or online by joining our access scheme.

Wheelchair spaces and walkers

We have five wheelchair accessible spaces in the main house auditorium and two wheelchair spaces in the studio. We advise booking in advance as the theatre cannot guarantee spaces upon arrival. Users of the wheelchair designated spaces can be accompanied by a carer or companion whose seat will be adjacent.

For those patrons using walking aids, sticks, or crutches, access to the auditorium is permissible and once seated the walking aid must be either stowed safely under the seat or left in the foyer to keep the aisles and emergency exits clear. This is an important measure as in the event of an emergency, our staff will need to prioritise evacuating the building as quickly and safely as possible. 

For further information on the above and for advice on seat selection, please email boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk or call our box office on 01245 606505.

Blue badge parking

There are designated Blue Badge parking bays accessible from Fairfield Road. Further Blue Badge bays are available at Fairfield Road car park accessed via Coval Lane. These bays cannot be booked and are available on a first come, first served basis. There is level access from both car parks.