We have 3 to 6 wheelchair spaces available, depending on the show layout, for customers who need to remain in their wheelchair throughout the performance.

These can be booked through the Box Office by phone or in person, or online if you are registered with the Blackburn Empire Access Register. On the seating plan, wheelchair spaces are shown on Row W.

New wheelchair and companion seating arrangements – from November 2026

As part of our continuing efforts to make Blackburn Empire Theatre accessible to as many people as possible, we are introducing new wheelchair and companion seating arrangements through our online booking system from November 2026.

Demand for wheelchair spaces continues to grow. As a relatively small theatre with a limited number of wheelchair positions, we want to make the best use of the space available so that more wheelchair users have the opportunity to enjoy our performances.

Where it is practical, safe and suitable for your individual needs, companions and carers will be seated in Row D, directly in front of the corresponding wheelchair space in Row W.

This arrangement will be available through our online booking system for customers registered with the Blackburn Empire Access Register as the new features are rolled out from November 2026.

If you need your companion or carer to sit directly beside you, for example to provide assistance or support during the performance, or if the Row D arrangement is not suitable for your needs, please contact our Box Office before booking. Our team will discuss your requirements and help identify suitable seating arrangements.

We also recognise that, on some occasions, seats beside wheelchair spaces in Row W may remain available. Where a suitable seat is available on the night, we will be happy to consider moving your companion or carer alongside you, subject to availability and safety requirements. However, this cannot be guaranteed in advance.

We appreciate that these arrangements may be different from those you have experienced previously. Our aim is to make the theatre more accessible, welcome more wheelchair users to our performances and continue to accommodate individual access requirements wherever possible.

Transferring from a wheelchair to a theatre seat

If you are able to transfer from your wheelchair to a theatre seat, Row F is generally the row we recommend. Much of Row F is level access and it is therefore the row where we are most likely to be able to accommodate a wheelchair-to-seat transfer. We will also be happy to store your wheelchair safely during the performance.

However, not every seat in Row F can be accessed directly by wheelchair and we cannot guarantee that a particular position within the row will be suitable for your individual circumstances. For example, booking a seat in Row F does not necessarily mean that you will be able to reach a seat in the middle of the row without negotiating standard theatre seating.

If you use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, are unable to negotiate a standard theatre seat row, or have not visited the theatre before and are unsure whether a particular seat or area will be suitable, please contact the Box Office before booking online.

Our team can talk through your individual requirements and advise on the most appropriate available seating. Please do not assume from the seating plan or row recommendation that a particular seat will meet your access needs.

Booking for groups

For groups of four or more that include an accessible seat, we may not be able to seat everyone on the same row. In these cases, we may recommend booking in blocks across Row W and Row D or Row W and Row F.

Our Box Office team will be happy to advise on the best available arrangement for your group, taking account of any individual access requirements.

Booking in advance

Please book wheelchair spaces in advance, as we cannot guarantee availability on the day of a performance or when arriving at the Box Office immediately before a show.

If you have any questions about wheelchair spaces, companion seating or your individual accessibility requirements, please contact our Box Office. We are always happy to help you plan your visit.