The Stand

My partner/carer and I went to go see Alun Cochrane as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His show was amazing. The venue was nice and clean but not exactly accessible. There were about 12 steps down into the venue itself which were fairly evenly spaced out and no visible access without stairs. As it's a small venue there were tables and chairs so closely packed together that even if you could get in without stairs, you wouldn't have been able to manoeuvre yourself in a wheelchair or with a walking aid. Props to the staff they were great and got me a highbacked chair when I explained I couldn't sit in a backless chair because of my condition but as the venue was small and completely packed, we were very close to the stage so it hurt my back anyway. The staff were lovely, the bar was affordable but again the bar wasn't at an accessible height and there isn't enough space for access to the bar with mobility aids. Thankfully I was having a good leg day otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get into the venue.

I love to see live comedy at The Fringe but some venues are hard to get in & out of. I was worried about having to q on the stairs at this venue which is down steep steps. I called ahead & explained that I cannot stand for very long & queing on stairs is not possible for me. They were great & said I could arrive early, take my time on the stairs, helped by my carer, go to the toilet & get settled before the show & leave after everyone else so the stairs were clear. As this had removed a major obstacle for me, I asked if I could stay in my seat at the venue & watch several shows on the same day without going out & coming in again, & they said yes by arrangement, which I did. I had tea & so on & went to the toilet between shows unrushed & no ques. I had an excellent day watching great live comedy. The venue staff were very helpfull & I want other people to know about this.