Access Information at The Smokehouse
Introduction
The Smokehouse strives to be an inclusive venue and welcomes Deaf and disabled people. We are always learning more and if you have any queries or issues about any access we’d love to hear from you to see how we can improve.
Contact Details
Caitlin Whittaker
01473 852555 - Please leave us a message and we will get back to you.
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Venue Description
The Smokehouse is part of a larger complex called South Street Studios. The entrance down the alleyway has an accessible door and the venue is step free throughout. The venue has a Changing Places toilet which is located in the courtyard accessed by a radar key.
The box office is just a small table located in the foyer next to The Smokehouse venue door. We don’t always have door staff but there will be volunteers inside the venue and the Sound Engineer is located by the door to the venue. Re-admittance is allowed.
The bar is inside the venue on the right hand side and the door is on the right, which can sometimes be difficult to get to when the venue is busy. Do let us know if you need any assistance with getting a drink, our volunteers and staff are happy to help.
Bookable Access Facilities and How to Apply:
Personal Assistant tickets
The Smokehouse provides a free ticket to a Deaf or disabled person who may not be able to attend without the support of a Personal Assistant (PA). If you require a PA ticket, please contact us, and we will be happy to arrange this for you.
Accessible viewing area
The Smokehouse is a very small venue. We do not have a dedicated viewing area, but can sometimes provide you a chair or stool if you would like one if the gig isn’t sold out. Please get in touch in advance to arrange this.
Travel Guide and Arrival Guide
The Smokehouse is right next to ‘Norwich Road Shoppers car park’, a pay and display car park. There are five accessible parking spaces, three located in the front car park about 20m from the venue and two located at the other end of the car park behind the venue (about 150m away). Blue Badge holders can park free for up to 3 hours within designated bays whilst displaying a valid badge and clock - no return within 1 hour.
Taxis are able to drop customers off right outside the front of the building South Street Studios, before the alleyway down to the venue.
Ipswich station is located 1288 metres away.
Venue opening times are gig specific, and can be found on the listings page here. Our curfew is 11pm.
On arrival at the venue, door staff will be more than happy to help direct you, or answer any questions you may have. We are more than happy to allow you into the venue before the doors open and assist you to find a suitable space within the venue to position yourself for the gig. Please let us know in advance of the gig so that we can organise someone to meet you.
Toilets
There is a Changing Places toilet located across the courtyard (5 metres) from the venue. The radar key to unlock this will be inside by The Smokehouse door hanging up (see image above). Please speak to a member of staff should you require assistance. We have recently installed four gender neutral toilets in the venue, and the one on the far right has a basin in the cubicle.
Customers with Medical Requirements
We welcome any customers who may need to bring food, drink, medicine or medical equipment with them to manage a medical condition. We are able to refrigerate any medication, so please let us know if you would like us to do this for you. Please let us know in advance so we can allow and find sufficient space for it.
Assistance Dogs
We can accommodate guide dogs. Due to the small size of the venue please get in touch in advance as we may need to organise a separate area with a volunteer where the dog is looked after during the gig.
Strobe Lighting
We may use strobe lighting and a smoke machine in the venue, please let us know in advance of the gig to request either of these not to be used.