ACCESS GUIDE
Welcome to the David Lean Cinema
We want everyone to feel welcome at the David Lean Cinema.
As Croydon’s community cinema, we are here to bring people together through great films and shared experiences. We are committed to making our cinema as accessible and enjoyable as possible for disabled people and anyone with access requirements.
We know that everyone’s needs are different. Whether you’re visiting us for the first time or you’re a regular member of our cinema community, our volunteers are here to help.
If you have any questions before your visit, or if there is anything we can do to make your experience easier, please get in touch. We would always rather hear from you in advance so we can help you plan your visit.
Accessibility at a glance
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
We want you to feel confident and comfortable before you visit.
If you have any access requirements, please contact us before your visit using our online contact form.
Our volunteers can help answer questions about:
- getting into the building and finding the cinema;
- wheelchair spaces and seating options;
- hearing support;
- assistance dogs;
- any other adjustments that may help you enjoy your visit.
We are always happy to discuss your requirements and help you decide what will work best for you.
YOUR VISIT IN PICTURES
We know that knowing what to expect can make visiting somewhere new much easier.
We are developing a visual guide to help you plan your visit, including photographs of:
- the accessible entrance to Croydon Clocktower;
- the route from the entrance to the lift;
- the lift and route to the cinema;
- the Box Office and cinema entrance;
- the auditorium layout;
- wheelchair spaces and accessible seating.
GETTING HERE
The David Lean Cinema is located on the first floor of Croydon Clocktower and is step-free throughout.
The ramped entrance to the Clocktower complex is to the right of the Library entrance.
Once inside the entrance lobby:
- turn left and follow the corridor to the lift;
- take the lift to the first floor;
- when you leave the lift, a short ramp leads down to the cinema and Arts Bar.
The Box Office is directly ahead. Continue through the Arts Bar and you will find the cinema foyer, with the cinema entrance on your right.
Our volunteers will be happy to help you find your way.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS AND SEATING
The David Lean Cinema is wheelchair accessible.
We have two wheelchair spaces available in the auditorium.
- seats A1/A2 and seats A3/A4, can be removed to create space for up to 2 wheelchairs;
- an Access Companion space is available behind the wheelchair space, seat B2 or seat B4.
Wheelchair seat A1/A2, and Access Companion seat B2 can be booked online or through our Box Office. Wheelchair seat A3/A4 can only be booked through our Box Office.
The Access Companion ticket is provided free of charge. The position of this seat means the view may be slightly reduced when a wheelchair is positioned in front. If your companion would prefer to sit beside you and seat A3 is available, this can be booked at the standard ticket price.
Wheelchair and Access Companion spaces are normally held until shortly before a screening. If a screening is close to selling out and these spaces have not been booked, they may be released for general sale.
We recommend booking wheelchair spaces as soon as possible after tickets go on sale.
For safety reasons, we can only accommodate two wheelchairs per screening.
STEP FREE SEATING
If you do not require a wheelchair space but would prefer seating with fewer steps:
- Row A has step-free access.
- Row B has one small step.
- Row C has two small steps.
- Other rows are accessed by four steps.
Our volunteers will be happy to assist if needed.
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available within Croydon Clocktower.
The nearest accessible toilet to the cinema is:
At the top of the ramped slope on the first floor before you enter the bar area of the cinema.
Facilities include:
- emergency assistance cord;
- RADAR lock access;
- right-hand transfer space;
- support rails;
- lowered sink with lever tap.
PARKING
The David Lean Cinema does not have dedicated parking spaces.
The nearest multi-storey car parks are:
- Fairfield Car Park, Barclay Road;
- Surrey Street Car Park, Charles Street.
Both provide dedicated bays for Blue Badge holders.
Blue Badge on-street parking is also available on Fell Road, near St George’s Walk.
HEARING SUPPORT
We want everyone to be able to enjoy great films.
We aim to programme regular screenings with descriptive subtitles for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences. These screenings include dialogue subtitles as well as additional information about important sounds, such as music, phones ringing or background noise.
These performances are highlighted in our programme as HoH Subtitled.
Many of the international films we screen also include English dialogue subtitles.
For visitors who use hearing aids with a T-coil (telecoil) setting, we offer free infrared hearing receivers to amplify the soundtrack.
Please request one when booking your tickets or contact us before your visit so we can have one ready for you.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
At present, we are not able to provide audio description headsets.
The front row of the auditorium may be a suitable option for visitors who prefer to sit closer to the screen.
The front row is approximately 8 foot from the screen.
If there is anything we can do to help make your visit more comfortable, please contact us before your visit.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance dogs are welcome at the David Lean Cinema.
If you are planning to bring an assistance dog, please let us know in advance when booking your tickets or by contacting our Box Office.
This helps us make sure we can welcome you and your dog comfortably and provide any support you may need.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Some special events, including live broadcasts and Q&A screenings, may have different ticket pricing arrangements.
For these events, concession prices may not always be available, and wheelchair spaces and Access Companion tickets may be charged at the same price as other tickets.
FEEDBACK AND IMPROVING ACCESS
We know accessibility is an ongoing journey.
We welcome feedback from our audiences and would love to hear about anything we are doing well, as well as anything we could improve.
If you have suggestions about how we can make the David Lean Cinema more accessible, please get in touch.
Your feedback helps us continue to create a cinema where everyone feels welcome.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss your access requirements before your visit, please contact us through our online contact form.