Accessibility

The Forum has been designed and operates with accessibility in mind for all.

Welcome to The Forum. This page explains our current facilities to assist in planning your visit.

If you need any further information, call or email us and we’ll be happy to help. We also really value your feedback, so if there’s anything you think would be useful to add to this page, feel free to get in touch.

At a glance

Customer Services 

The Customer Services team can give you assistance at any time during your visit. You can find them at the Customer Services desk or look out for one of the team around the building wearing navy blue tops and Forum lanyards.

There is level access to the Customer Services desk located on the ground floor, on the far right hand side as you enter the building. 

The team receive regular accessibility training and The Forum is a member of Norfolk Safe Places and Titan scheme assisting vulnerable people when travelling independently, Norwich City Dementia Action Alliance and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme.

During an emergency evacuation visitors with limited mobility will be assisted to safety by a member of staff. There are Refuge Points, which are fire protected safe havens, on each emergency exit route and on every floor of the Forum.

A reception with a glass window and Customer Services sign
Customer Services desk
A man and women from the Customer Services team in navy blue uniforms with Forum logos on.
Customer Service team in navy blue uniform

You can find more information about the schemes were are a part of on their websites.  

Arriving at The Forum 

The main entrance to The Forum has level access and is through a revolving door. There is an accessible door to the left of the main entrance and a ramp runs along the Bethel Street side of The Forum with a handrail.  

There is a dedicated safe Meeting Point located next to Customer Services highlight by a blue symbol.

Arriving by public transport

The nearest bus stops are on Theatre Street (150 yd), Red Lion Street (0.2 miles), St Stephens Street (0.2 miles) and Castle Meadow (0.3 miles). The nearest train station is Norwich Station which is 0.7 miles from The Forum. 

When booking a taxi ask to be dropped off on the Bethel Street side of The Forum, where you can access the ramp which runs to the main entrance.   

An automatic glass door at the front of The Forum, with a push button to open it on the right hand side.
Accessible entrance

Accessible parking

There are twelve spaces for Blue Badge holders in the The Forum's multi-storey underground car park, which can be found on Level –2, and eight parent and child spaces on Level –1.

Intercoms are located at the entrance/exit barriers and pay machines if you require assistance.

A lift operates from the car park to all Levels +1 and -3 of The Forum.

Normal parking charges apply. Payment is via payment machines which accept cash and cards.

The Forum car park has been awarded a Disabled Parking Accreditation.

Entrance to The Forum's underground car park on Bethel Street Norwich with blue sign including a parking symbol.
The Forum car park entrance

Accessible toilets 

There is level access to our visitor toilets on the ground floor of The Forum between The Gallery and the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library.

There are two accessible toilets to the right-hand side and a separate family room including baby change facilities. There is one left-hand transfer and two right-hand transfer toilets. There is a Changing Places toilet on the left of the corridor.

For the Changing Places toilet an access card can be collected and returned to Customer Services. A Radar key system is in place for the other accessible toilets. You can use your own Radar key or borrow a Radar key from Customer Services.

Take a look at a detailed access guide for our accessible visitor toilets.

You can also find accessible toilet facilities in The Auditorium lobby, The View and Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library.

Visitor toilets at The Forum on the ground floor.

Lifts 

There are 3 lifts which provide access to all levels. 

The lifts have audio which announces the floor numbers at each level. The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters and digitally display the floor number at each level.

All the lifts have LED spotlights and no music is played inside.

Take a look at a detailed access guide for our lifts.

Guide and assistance dogs 

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome inside The Forum, including assistance dogs in training.  

The nearest toileting area for guide and assistance dogs is Chapelfield Gardens, 0.2 miles from The Forum.   

Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request in Café Bar Marzano and at the Customer Services Desk.

Blind and low vision visitors

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings. Our lifts are equipped with audio announcements for each floor. 

The Gallery and Auditorium spaces may have low lighting during exhibitions and talks.  

The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library have specific equipment to assist visitors who are partially sighted and can provide documents in large print. The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library offers large print books in fiction and non-fiction as well as a range of audio books and other reading aids.  

PizzaExpress has an audio menu via the Good Food Talks app (GFT) which allows customers to listen to menus in the restaurant or at home or view menus in dyslexic fonts or high contrast displays. If you don't have a smartphone please ask the PizzaExpress team and they will be able to provide an iPad with the GFT app loaded.   

Deaf and hard of hearing visitors

Our lift buttons have raised numbers or letters and digitally display the floor number at each level. No music is played inside the lifts. 

The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library has an induction loop. 

During events there may be background music or live amplified performances.

The Forum presents Norfolk Deaf Festival a three-day celebration of D/deaf culture and community.

Quiet times and spaces

Quieter times to visit are early in the day between 8.30am–10am when the building first opens. 

The Forum's Atrium can sometimes be crowded and noisy, especially during festivals and events. Quiet spaces can be found in Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library and downstairs in The Auditorium lobby. 

Sunflower Snug

During festivals produced by The Forum we have a Sunflower Snug which offers an accessible, quieter space - ideal for transitioning into festival activities, taking a calming break, or spending your entire visit in a more relaxed setting.

The Sunflower Snug is staffed by a trained team and includes sensory and calming activities. You can also borrow ear defenders and fidget toys to use as you explore other areas of the festival.

Relaxed and quiet events

During festivals and events produced by The Forum including Norwich Science Festival, Norwich Games Festival and Norwich Book Festival we offer relaxed and quiet sessions and activities.

These include relaxed, sensory-friendly events which have limited capacity and can be pre-booked. Take a look at the What’s On listings to find out what events are coming up.

Essential companions

Visitors with access needs who require a carer or companion to support them during an event can book a free Essential Companion ticket, alongside one paid ticket. No proof of eligibility is required.

This is available for events produced by The Forum and booked via our ticketing system, Ticketsolve, with the option to share access requirements at checkout.

Events organised and booked via external organisations will have their own policy, please check their website and booking information.

Facilities for families 

A ramp for easy access with pushchairs runs along the Bethel Street side of The Forum.  

There are 8 family parking spaces on Level -1 of The Forum car park.

Baby change facilities can be found in the family room, on the ground floor. There are also baby change facilities in the Children's Library.  

The Children’s Library run a programme of regular family storytelling events and activities. See the What’s On section for information.  

Families are welcome at Café Bar Marzano and Pizza Express who can provide high chairs. 

Parents are welcome to breastfeed or bottle-feed in The Forum and Café Bar Marzano is a ‘breastfeeding friendly’ café.