BH Live has been commended for its commitment to improving live event experiences for Deaf and disabled fans at venues across the south of England.
Bournemouth International Centre, which is managed by BH Live, has received bronze status from Attitude is Everything, demonstrating a strong commitment to access provision at the venue and an on-going pledge to improving accessibility.
Attitude is Everything is an independent charity that works in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry to improve Deaf and disabled people’s experiences to live music.
Working with Attitude is Everything is to go beyond the legal obligations set out in the Equality Act, implementing best practice, and providing a fair and equal service to their Deaf and disabled customers.
More than 125 events organisers and venues have already committed to the Charter, including Glastonbury, Latitude and Download.
“BH Live is committed to increasing access to live events for Deaf and disabled people, Disability access is not about doing anything special, it’s about ensuring all your customers have a similar experience, regardless of access requirements,” says Gideon Feldman, Senior Project Manager, Attitude is Everything. “The work BH Live has undertaken so far, both physically and across their processes and policies, shows this. Attitude is Everything is delighted they are a member of our Charter of Best Practice and we look forward to working with them at Bournemouth International Centre and other venues to push accessibility provision”
Bournemouth International Centre has been particularly praised for its broad range of accessible facilities including lower level reception and box office counters, amplification systems for customers with hearing impairment, toilet hoist, accessible auditorium seating, a free personal assistant scheme and an accessible platform in its main arena.
Last year BH Live also introduced an improved access scheme for its ticketing service, BH Live Tickets, to make sure customers with access requirements, can get the right seats and event tickets to suit their needs.
“We want to make sure everyone can enjoy events to the full when they visit our venues,” says Steve Turner, Bournemouth International Centre’s General Manager. “We are pleased with the feedback from the recent review highlighting the many positive ways in which we are making the venues we operate more accessible. Together with support from partners, and continued feedback from customers, we will continue to work with Attitude is Everything to make even more improvements to make sure everyone can access, experience and enjoy live events.”
To find out more about facilities at Bournemouth International Centre visit bic.co.uk
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live or Bournemouth International Centre please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055562
About Attitude is Everything
Attitude is Everything improves Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry to implement a Charter of Best Practice across the UK.
Celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2015, the charity’s many successes to date include working with Festival Republic and Ground Control on all of their UK festivals, supporting Academy Music Group and National Arena Association venues to sign up to the Charter, and working with London Borough of Tower Hamlets to use the Charter of Best Practice as an event standard for all festivals taking place in Victoria Park.
Attitude is Everything’s patrons include artists such as Robert Wyatt and Blaine Harrison, while supporters of the charity’s #MusicWithoutBarriers campaign include Stevie Wonder, Queens of the Stone Age, The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Alt-J, Anna Calvi, Belle & Sebastian, Chvrches, Villagers and Enter Shikari. attitudeiseverything.org.uk
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With more than three million visits a year and over £36.5 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2015/16 BH Live hosted more than 500 events, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets. They welcomed 2.6 million visits into its leisure centres and 118,000 conference and exhibition delegates into its venues. This contributed an estimated £66.3 million to the local economy through business and cultural tourism. For more visit bhlive.org.uk
Get social with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK
About Bournemouth International Centre
Bournemouth International Centre is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council.
Set in the heart of Bournemouth, with panoramic views across the bay, it is the South Coast’s premier conference, exhibition, entertainment, and hospitality venue, with licensed capacity for up to 10,000 visitors.
Four main halls and a variety of smaller meeting and hospitality areas can be blended and scaled to host events such as multi-hall conferences, exhibitions, meetings, music concerts, dance and comedy performances. For more visit bic.co.uk
Get social with us on Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK and @bhlivetickets