Access Guide
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Tickets
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Tickets for gigs at Manchester Academy 1, 2, 3 and Club Academy can be bought from ‘The
Store’ located in the University of Manchester Students Union Building.
There will be no booking fee for tickets bought from ‘The Store’.
‘The Store’ accepts cash or card payments.
The height of the box office/ ‘The Store’ payment counter is 112 centimetres, with a lower
ledge available at 76 centimetres.
Box Office Opening Times
Monday- Friday 8.00-19.00
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
(Opening times may vary depending on term dates at University of Manchester .Please ring 0161 275
2930 if confirmation of times is needed)
Tickets can also be bought over the phone by calling ticketline on 0161 832 1111 or on the internet
at www.ticketline.co.uk
Please note:
 When purchasing tickets on the same day as the gig, tickets will go off sale at around 2pm.
 They will then go back on sale from 6pm (at a slightly higher price).
 They will be sold from either the Academy 1 box office for gigs in the Academy 1 venue or
the helpdesk in the Students Union Building for gigs in Academy 2, 3 and club.
 These box offices will only be able to accept cash payments.
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Customers with Access Requirements
Customers with access requirements are advised to purchase a ticket for the gig. Once you have
purchased a ticket, you should then fill out an Access Requirements form. This form can found on
our website www.manchesteracademy.net, or by contacting our helpdesk on 0161 275 2930 or
emailing info.su@manchester.ac.uk.
Letting us know your access requirements in advance will ensure your needs are met.
Please Note: this form is also to be filled out by people with temporary access requirements, such as
broken legs, pregnancy etc.
Access Address Book
Manchester Academy run an Access Address Book. The Access Address Book is a database in which
we store customers’ access requirements. If you choose to have your information added to the
address book you will only need to fill out the Access Requirements Form once. Once you have
bought tickets for gigs in the future, you will simply need to contact our helpdesk team to let them
know the gig you are attending. We will then ensure your access requirements are passed onto the
duty manager.
If you would like to be added to our Access Address Book, please select the appropriate answer
when next filling out the Access Requirements Form.
If you require anymore information on the Access Address Book, please contact our helpdesk team
on 0161 275 2930 or by emailing info.su@manchester.ac.uk
2 for 1 Ticket Scheme
 Deaf and disabled customers, who would be unable to attend a gig without assistance, are
entitled to a free ticket for their ‘Personal Assistant/Companion’.
 Once you have purchased a ticket, you should then fill out an Access Requirements Form.
 The Access Requirements form will ask you to state if a personal assistant ticket is needed.
 If you state you require a personal assistant, a guest list ticket will be issued to you. Personal
assistant tickets can be collected on the evening of the gig from the box office (Academy 1
box office for Academy 1 and the Students Union Helpdesk for Academy 2, 3 and Club
Venues.)
Please note that our staff are not trained to lift or carry people who may need help or to assist with
personal toilet or medical needs. We provide a free personal assistant ticket in order that customers
with these needs may be able to attend.
For any queries regarding our 2 for 1 ticket scheme, please contact our helpdesk on 0161 275 2930
or by emailing info.su@manchester.ac.uk
Guide/Assistance Dogs
Guide/assistance dogs are welcome in all our venues. We advise customers who require the
assistance of a dog, to fill out our access requirements form which can be obtained from our website
www.manchesteracademy.net or by contacting our helpdesk team on 0161 275 2930 or
info.su@manchester.ac.uk
Use of Strobe Lighting and Other Stage Effects
Strobe lighting, smoke machines and other theatrical effects may be used during gigs in our venues.
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Early Entry
We operate an early entry service for our Deaf and disabled customers. We ask you to report to the
box office 10 to 15 minutes before doors and security will ensure that you skip the queue and get
first access into the venue. Please contact our helpdesk on 0161 275 2930 or by emailing
info.su@manchester.ac.uk if you have any queries regarding this service.
On the Night
Customers who have filled out an access requirements form should report to the box office on the
night of the gig. Our box office staff will be able to provide any access information you may need,
and will ensure every effort is made to meet your requirements.
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How to find us
Manchester Academy 1 is located on Oxford Road (M13 9PR), opposite Holy Name Church and next
door to University of Manchester Students’ Union.
Manchester Academy 2, 3 and Club are located in the University of Manchester Students’ Union
building (M13 9PR).
By Bus
Direct routes to Manchester Academy run regularly, approximately every 3 minutes, from Piccadilly
Gardens in Manchester City Centre and along Oxford Road.
The nearest stop from the city centre to Manchester Academy is 4 stops from the Palace Hotel,
Oxford Road.
Services will drop you off outside Kro Bar (opposite The University of Manchester's Student Union),
or outside The Stopford Building (University of Manchester’s Medical School).
Services from South Manchester via University (Rusholme and Fallowfield) stop directly outside
University of Manchester Students’ Union.
Bus fares vary depending on which company runs the bus.
For more information please go to www.gmpt.com or call traveline on 0871 200 2233
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By Train
The nearest train station to our venue is Manchester Oxford Road station (approximately ½ a mile
away). Upon exiting the station, turn right down Oxford Road. We are around a 15 minute walk
down the road, on the right hand side. Alternatively you can get a bus from outside the Palace hotel
opposite Oxford Road train station.
Piccadilly train station is approximately 1mile away from our venue. The station has a taxi rank
outside for customers who wish to take a taxi upon exiting the station. A taxi from Piccadilly Station
to our venue will cost around £5.00. The Oxford Road link bus (number 147) runs from Piccadilly Rail
Station and stops opposite Manchester Academy 1 and the Students Union Building. This service
runs on weekdays between 7.17am and 8.27pm, at 10-20 minute intervals.
For more bus options, a short walk to Piccadilly Gardens (approximately 5 minutes away) is where
you can find the main bus terminus point in the city centre.
Deansgate train station and Manchester Victoria station are both situated about 1 mile away from
our venues.
For more information on public transport, or to plan your journey please visit www.travelinenorthwest.co.uk
By Car
For a route planner, visit The AA website: www.theaa.com
(Manchester Academy’s postcode is M13 9PR)
Car Parking
The closet car park for our venues is next to Academy 1.
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Access to the Car Park is via Denmark Street off Oxford Road.
From Denmark Street, turn right onto Acomb Street.
At the end of Acomb Street, turn right again onto Dilworth Street.
Around two hundred metres up on the left, is the car park entrance.
You can use the car park after 4pm Monday to Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday.
You need two pound coins to operate the unmanned barrier to this car park.
On the Map on the next page, Manchester Students’ Union building is number 68 and Academy 1 is
number 78. Car park F is the car park described in the directions above
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For a list of other nearby car parks you can use the following sources:
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Manchester City Council has compiled a map of city centre car parks.
For a wider choice of car parks across the region, car park operator NCP has a car park finder
tool.
Access to Academy 1
Summery
Academy 1 is the largest of our venues, with a capacity of 2400. The venue which is situated on the
busy Oxford Road corridor has level access throughout. The venue’s main use is as a gig venue, but
the links to the Students’ Union means a number of student events are run within the building. From
graduation to exams, Academy 1 is a perfect canvas to host a range of events.
Entering the Building
 Admission to Manchester Academy 1 is through the doors in the colourful glass tower on the
right hand side of the building (next to RBS bank).
 The box office for Manchester Academy 1 is located to the left hand side of the glass tower.
The box office will open at 6pm on gig nights (unless stated otherwise).
 This box office will be the location to purchase and collect tickets for the gig on that night.
 This box office has a window and a drawer to pass through tickets and money. The height of
the drawer is 76 centimetres in height.
 The box office has an induction loop available. Signs direct customers to switch their hearing
aids to the T position.
 We are unable to take card payments from this box office.
Getting Around
Access doors into Academy 1 are step free. Doors are 190 centimetres wide when fully open.
Upon entering the building, the corridor will direct you down towards the foyer. Along the walkway
to your right, there are separate male and female toilets and one gender neutral accessible toilet.
Opposite the entrance to the toilets are stairs leading to the upstairs bar and balcony. To the right of
the stairs you will find a lift to the upstairs bar and balcony. There are 24 stairs (with handrails on
both sides) leading up to the upstairs bar.
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The inside of the lift is 105 centimetres by 140 centimetres (For more information on the lifts please
see Academy 1 lift section).
Continuing down into the foyer, on your right, you will find a bar, and to your left there are four
double door entrances into the auditorium. Each double door entrance is 180 centimetres wide, to
the far left is a power assisted door. To the far right of the auditorium entrance doors is a small
seating area.
The largest bar in the venue is situated in the foyer. The height of the bar is 114 centimetres.
Unfortunately there is no lower service section on this bar, but our staff will be more than happy to
assist anyone unable to reach the bar serving area.
Upon entry to the auditorium, the merchandise stand is situated to the left on the back wall.
Next to the merchandise stand is a cloakroom window. Height of cloakroom service area is 100
centimetres. The cloakroom charges £1.50 per coat and £2.00 per bag.
Along the right hand side of the auditorium, there is another bar. The bar is 120 centimetres in
height. The right hand side of the bar has a lower service area at 95 centimetres in height. This part
of the bar is generally not used for service, but customers who require the lower level of the bar will
be served here by staff.
The auditorium is approximately 25 metres by 30 metres. The venue can hold approximately 2400
people.
Upstairs Bar and Balcony Access
The upstairs bar can be accessed by lift or stairs from the foyer area. The upstairs bar and seating
area is open to the general public. At the top of the stairs (or upon exiting the lift), to the left is a bar
and some seating. To the right is another seating area. The main section of the bar is 114
centimetres in height. On the left hand side of the bar is a lower service area that is a height of 85
centimetres.
To the left of the bar, there is a corridor. On the right hand side of the corridor is a gender neutral
accessible toilet.
There are two entrances to the balcony from the upstairs bar. One entrance is on the right hand side
of the lift, and the other to the left hand side of the stairs. The entrance next to the lift is a power
assisted door. By pushing a button on the wall, the doors will automatically open.
Please Note:
 Both entrance doors to the balcony are manned by security.
 Access to the balcony is granted to customers with wristbands.
 Wristbands are not available for purchase.
 The use of the balcony is reserved for people with access requirements and (in some cases)
those who are on the guest list.
 For those who are granted access to the balcony due to access requirements, we are able to
allow one person to accompany them to the balcony .We hope are customers will
understand that we need to limit guests access onto the balcony in order to ensure as many
people with access requirements can be accommodated for.
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Seats
Academy 1 is a standing only venue (unless stated otherwise). Chairs can be made available on our
viewing balcony if you are unable to stand for the duration of the gig.
We advise customers with access requirements to fill out an Access Requirements Form. This can be
obtained from our website www.manchesteracademy.net or by contacting our helpdesk on 0161
275 2930 or by emailing info.su@manchester.ac.uk.
Toilets
 Male and Female toilets are located in the foyer area of Academy 1.
 There are two gender neutral accessible toilets in the venue. One is situated in the foyer and
the other is on the first floor.
 The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 195 centimetres x 180 centimetres.
 The width of the accessible toilet door is 87 centimetres when fully open.
 The lightweight door opens outwardly, and does not require a key to access.
 The door is locked by a twist lock.
 There is a lateral transfer space of 95 centimetres to the left of the toilet (left hand side
when looking towards the toilet.)
 The tap in the sink is a lever tap. There is a functional alarm available.
Lifts
 The lift is 18m from the building entrance.
 This brightly lit lift is for use of the general public.
 The inside of the lift is 105 centimetres by 140 centimetres.
 The width of the door when fully open is 90 centimetres.
 There is a mirror to aid wheelchairs users in reversing from the lift.
 All buttons in the lift are within reaching distance for wheelchair users and have Braille
markings.
 The lift has an audible announcer to inform passengers of the opening/closing of doors, and
the floor number.
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Access to Academy 2, 3 and Club Academy
Summary
Academy 2, 3 and club venues are situated inside the Students’ Union building, which has an access
ramp up to the main entrance. Academy 2 is on the 1st floor; Academy 3 on the 2nd floor; Club
Academy in the basement. These venues are accessible by stairs or by our 2 lifts. There is no purpose
built viewing platform in these venues. We will however try to accommodate our disabled guests
with chairs/raised viewing where possible. We will also attempt to facilitate an appropriate location
from where you can fully enjoy the gig. There are accessible toilets throughout the building.
Our building is used for various purposes - the information below is intended to inform visitors to
the Academy venues. Please note that when attending a gig you will be required to enter through
the main entrance so that security staff can check tickets. On gig nights security staff will restrict
access to certain areas of the building in order to ensure that all visitors are in the correct location –
please follow their directions at all times.
Entering the building
The main entrance to the Students’ Union building can be accessed by steps or by an access ramp.
There are 9 steps with a hand rail that leads up to the main entrance, or a wheelchair accessible
ramp can be found to the left of the entrance. The ramp is 128 centimetres wide and has a hand rail
that is 105 centimetres high (at the tallest point).
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There are 3 sets of double doors at the main entrance. The centre doors are automatic sliding doors
that are 76 centimetres wide when fully open. The 2 other sets of doors are manual and are 178
centimetres when fully open.
There are also some side entrances to the building. At the end of the building nearest to Academy 1,
there is a side door that leads to The Store, Grab & Go, day time Box Office and Biko’s Café. This
door can be accessed by 8 steps (please note there is no handrail for these stairs).The door is 63
centimetres wide when fully open.
At the other end of the building and to the rear, there is a side entrance that leads into the Bar. This
can be accessed by climbing 11 steps with a hand rail. The double doors are 125 centimetres wide
when fully open.
Should you need any assistance on entering the building, please contact our helpdesk team on 0161
275 2930 or info.su@manchester.ac.uk
Getting around the building
Foyer
The main entrance doors lead immediately into the Foyer. To your left you will find Biko’s Café, Grab
& Go, The Store and the daytime Box Office. To the rear of the Foyer and left you will see double
doors which lead to Academy 2 and 3 via stairs. There is also a side entrance to the Bar here, and
another set of double doors which lead to our goods lift (see Lifts section for further information).
Straight ahead of you is the Union Bar and 2 stairwells that lead to the first and second floor. To the
right of the Bar entrance you will find the ground floor accessible gender neutral toilet. Slightly to
your right you will see the Helpdesk. This is also where the Box Office is situated from 6pm on the
evening of a gig (for collection or on the door sales for that evening’s gig only).
To your right you will see the Students’ Union’s Student Voice office and the Advice Service.
Opposite the Advice Service entrance you will find gender neutral toilets. To the rear of the building
on this side, you will reach a stairwell which leads down to Club Academy, the Print Shop and the
Hairdresser, and up to the first and second floor. Here you will also find our passenger lift (see Lifts
section for further information).There is also a side entrance to the Bar – the double doors are 143
centimetres wide when fully open.
Lifts
Academy 2, 3 and Club Academy are normally accessed by stairs. Each floor has 24 stairs to take you
up or down to the next floor. If this is not ideal for you we have 2 lifts, as mentioned above.
The passenger lift is our main publicly accessible lift. The doors are 80 centimetres wide when fully
open. The interior space measures 150 by 105 centimetres. This brightly lit lift provides access to the
basement, ground, 1st and 2nd floors. There is a mirror to aid wheelchair users in reversing out of the
lift.
We also have a larger goods lift. The doors measure 177 centimetres when fully open. The interior
space is 258 by 266 centimetres. If the passenger lift is not large enough and you would prefer to use
the goods lift, please inform a member of staff and we will arrange this for you.
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Inside the venues
Academy 2
 The main double doors to the Bar are 1.63 metres wide when fully open.
 The bar counter is 122 centimetres high, with an accessible service area to the right of the
bar which is 85 centimetres high.
 The venue is all on one level with no separate viewing area.
 Academy 2, unless stated other wise is a standing only venue. Chairs can be provided for
customers unable to stand for the duration of the gig. We advise customers who need a
chair to fill out an Access Requirements form.
Academy 3
 The main double doors to the Bar are 1.63 metres wide when fully open.
 The bar counter is 105 centimetres high. Unfortunately there is no lower service area on this
bar, but our staff will be more than happy to assist anyone unable to reach the bar serving
area.
 Academy 3 venue is all on one level with no separate viewing area.
 Academy 3, unless stated other wise is a standing only venue. Chairs can be provided for
customers unable to stand for the duration of the gig. We advise customers who need a
chair to fill out an Access Requirements form.
Club Academy
 The main double doors to the Bar are 86 centimetres wide when fully open.
 The bar counter is 110 centimetres in height. Unfortunately during gigs, there is no lower
service section on this bar, but our staff will be more than happy to assist anyone unable to
reach the bar serving area.
 On club nights, a lower service section is available and is a height of 85 centimetres
 Club Academy venue has split levels which are accessible by ramps. The ramp from the main
entrance to the lower level and bar area is 114 centimetres wide.
 There is a raised area that runs along the right hand side and the back of the venue.
Customers who require seats will be given priority to the raised platform areas. We advise
customers who need a chair to fill out an Access Requirements form.
 The raised platform area may not be appropriate for wheelchair users due to restricted lines
of sight.
The Union Bar
 The main double doors to the Bar are 140 centimetres wide when fully open.
 The 2 internal side entrances at either end of the Bar are 147 centimetres wide.
 The external entrance at the back of the building is 125 centimetres wide.
 The bar counter is 110 centimetres high with an accessible service area to the right of the
bar which is 85 centimetres high.
 Our spacious Bar allows wheelchair users to move around easily.
Accessible toilet facilities
There are wheelchair accessible toilet facilities on each floor of the Students’ Union building.
Basement – a single gender neutral accessible toilet is situated between the male and female toilets,
opposite the Print Shop. Shower facilities are available in this toilet.
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Ground Floor – a single gender neutral accessible toilet situated in the Foyer, to the right the main
entrance to the Bar. There is also an accessible cubicle in the gender neutral toilets, opposite the
Advice Service entrance.
First Floor – a single gender neutral accessible toilet is situated through a set of double doors to the
right hand side of the separate male and female toilets.
Second Floor- a single gender neutral accessible toilet is situated opposite (slightly to the right) the
main entrance to Academy 3.
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All of our accessible toilets do not need a key to access, open outwardly and have a handle
lock.
The entrance doors to the toilets are 87 centimetres wide when fully open.
All accessible toilets have functioning alarms available.
Bars and Smoking Areas
Bars
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Throughout our 6 bars we carry out a ‘challenge 21’ policy.
Anyone attempting to buy alcohol that looks younger then 21 will be asked to produce ID.
Anyone without ID will be refused service.
We accept drivers licence or passport as ID.
All of our bars take cash payment only (apart from the union bar. There is a minimum card
spend of £5.00. The Union bar offers a cash back service)
Customers with Student ID cards are able to purchase discounted drinks from the Union Bar.
The venue reserves the right to refuse service to any customer.
Free tap water is provided on request.
Smoking Area
 In Academy 1 once the admission queue for the venue has gone, the area in front of the
entrance will become a smoking area. This area will be manned by security.
 In the Student Union building, customers are advised to smoke in the Union Bars outside
seating area. The seating area is accessed from the Union bar. Please note there are 11 steps
down to the seating area. Anyone unable to use the stairs is advised to exit out the main
entrance to the students union, and use the front of the building as a smoking area.
Cloakroom
 The cloakroom for Academy 2, 3 and club is situated in the basement of the Students Union
Building.
 The cloakroom charges £1.50 per coat and £2.00 per bag.
 The height of the cloakroom counter is 100 centimetres.
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Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Emergency Evacuation Procedure
 In the unlikely event that the venue needs to be evacuated, the show will be stopped and an
announcement will be made on stage.
 Please leave the venue by the closest emergency exit.
 Emergency Exits will be signed with lit up signs.
 Always follow the instructions of the stewards (stewards will be dress in yellow Showsec
Uniform)
 Lifts are not to be used in the event of an emergency evacuation
Emergency Evacuation Procedure for Disabled Customers
 In the unlikely event that the venue needs to be evacuated, the show will be stopped and an
announcement will be made on stage.
 If you are able to do so safely, please leave the venue by the closest emergency exit.
 Emergency Exits will be signed with lit up signs.
 Always follow the instructions of the stewards (stewards will be dress in yellow Showsec
Uniform)
 Lifts are not to be used in the event of an emergency evacuation
 If you are unable to evacuate yourself via the stairs, please wait at the evacuation refuge
points and await assistance.
 Staff and Security will be able to inform you of the refuge points for gig you are attending.
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