Rebellion Festivals 2024 Accessibility Guide

The Winter Gardens is a listed building with multiple venues on different levels and as such there are physical restrictions in what can and can't be done to accommodate accessibility. However, both Rebellion Festivals and the venue are committed to ensuring that everybody has access to all areas and can provide advice and assistance.

Getting to Blackpool

Please refer to the Travel Info section under the Frequently Asked Questions (scroll down for relevant information)
www.rebellionfestivals.com/info

Tickets for Carers

 If you are attending with a carer, the Winter Gardens offers a carers scheme via a 2-step process, applications made as follows:

• Step 1 - Apply for membership to receive a NIMBUS Access card and unique access number here .

• Step 2 - You can acquire both tickets (i.e. purchase own ticket & acquire the extra ticket for your carer), by calling the Winter Gardens reception number, 01253 629600*. Explain that you are making a purchase through the carers scheme and have a NIMBUS card/access number.

Alternatively, if you fill in the on-line form below, the Winter Gardens will get back to you.
https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/your-visit/access/access-call-back-request/

*This number is not for general Box Office or Ticket queries and will be open from 9am to 3pm.

If you buy a ticket through Rebellion, you will still need to acquire a NIMBUS Access card and unique number (Step 1) and when contacting the Winter Gardens reception number (Step 2) they will require proof of purchase.

The membership and associated Access Card Number can be used for consequent years, it does not have to be renewed, just follow the same process when purchasing a ticket.

If you have any queries regarding the acquisition of a carers ticket, please email us on team@rebellionfestivals.com

Ticket despatch

Upon purchase, the Winter Gardens will email the tickets, although they can print them on your behalf, if you do not have access to a printer.

Wristband Collection/Fast-track

Tickets are swapped for wristbands at the Leopold Grove entrance to the Winter Gardens, where the Exhibition/Conference Centre is located, which is at ground level with easy access for wheelchair/mobility scooter users. Security can direct you to a fast-track lane for by-passing any queues.

Access to/Exiting the Winter Gardens once wristband acquired

• Access - In addition to the entrance at the Wristband Collection point, there is a further accessible entry point at the Victoria Street Entrance, which is on Coronation Street opposite Victoria Street - there is a short flight of stairs with a ramp and double doors (width 140cm).

• Exit - The entrance in Leopold Grove also serves as an exit, additionally a step-free exit can be made into Church Street (door width 138cm).

Inside the Winter Gardens

• Lifts - There are lifts available to all levels. Should a lift be out of use, please find the nearest security personnel and they will assist you.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are a mobility scooter user and wish to use any of the lifts, please ask a member of security for assistance. The lifts will have suitable notices posted to this effect. It is important that this is adhered to, to avoid any issues with the lifts resulting in them becoming out of order and an engineer having to attend site.

• Accessible Toilets - Accessible toilets are located in various locations throughout the Winter Gardens:
- Conference and Exhibition Centre (both levels)
- Near the West Horseshoe/Pavilion
- Ladies and Gents in the Empress Ballroom
- Arena top corner by the bar
- Rear stalls Opera House
- Spanish Hall lift passageway
- Olympia, by the accessible lift

• Designated Seating - the Empress Ballroom (balcony west) *, Opera House (mainly all-seated and Olympia, aka the Casbah (left side bench seating), all have specifically designated areas for people with accessibility issues (the Opera House is mainly all-seated). The other smaller venues have seating available - Security or Winter Gardens staff available to request seating or a chair, which they are reactive to on a case-by-case basis. *there are 5 x designated spaces in this upper-level area for wheelchairs/mobility scooters.

• Eating and Drinking - there are plenty of bars and places to eat within the venue, including the Empress Coffee Bar and Bistro, which can accommodate wheelchair/mobility scooter users.

Further Assistance
All Winter Gardens are pro-active in assisting all visitors. They will respond appropriately to requests for further aid, encouraging and supporting staff to extend their knowledge through training of specific skills that may be available. On the weekend, please ask a member of the security team to assist you and if you are having any issues, please ask them to call the duty manager should they not be able to help you.

Assistance Dogs

Whilst Assistance Dogs (Guide Dogs) are permitted in the Winter Gardens, it is not recommended given that loud music is a constant throughout the venue.

Information, Point of Contact and Feedback for Rebellion

We are striving to improve and implement changes that ensure Rebellion is an inclusive event and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Please reach out to us with any concerns / questions or suggestions for improvements, via the following email address:
team@rebellionfestivals.com 

Venue Feedback

The Winter Gardens is council owned and REBELLION FESTIVALS have no control over the layout / access of the building. However, we work closely with their management team. They ensure that their facilities are monitored and assessed on a regular basis, with recommendations on improvements and updates acted upon within a reasonable timescale and within any physical restrictions the design of the building may impose.

Further information about the venue and the accessibility can be found here, although please be aware that the set-up for Rebellion may result in some changes:
https://www.accessable.co.uk/the-fylde-coast/blackpool/access-guides/winter-gardens 

For any questions not answered or for specific access information on each venue within the Winter Gardens Blackpool please contact:

The General Manager
Winter Gardens Blackpool
c/o 97 Church Street
Blackpool
FY1 1HL
info@wintergardensblackpool.co.uk 

The Winter Gardens has also recently set up an Accessibility Forum, which you can apply to join through the following link:
https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/your-visit/access/access-forum/