I’ve been a wheelchair user since a diving accident in 1988. I’m 44, and moved to Manchester in ’95 to study. Now I work at the BBC as an assistant producer. With so many amazing venues and places to eat, and new places seeming to open on the hour, every hour, choosing where’s best is tricky, but here are a few pointers towards some of my favorite haunts that happen to be wheelchair-friendly.
Music venue
I always get excited when a band I like plays at the Apollo, in my view the most atmospheric of all music venues in Manchester. It’s big enough to draw the names but small enough to capture an intimate feel. Access spaces are either front row or on a platform at the back of the ground floor. The views wherever are awesome. The staff are always helpful, seeing you into the side entrance, and there’s a disabled toilet at the back. Book yourself a ticket then call the venue, and like most music venues in the city, they’ll sort you with a free ticket for an accompanying carer. Also worth a mention are Academy 1 and The Ritz who are equally helpful. Come on Albert Hall, great venue but terrible access (although you’re always very friendly and accommodating).
Posh eats
Mr Cooper’s House & Garden is the Midland Hotel’s ‘other’ restaurant. A fraction of the price of The French and all the better for it. The food, created by Simon Rogan of L’Enclume is always incredible and the caramel tart is the best pud ever made. Fact! If feeling a bit thin on dough, the early evening menu is a bargain £23 for three courses, superseded only by their perfect Sunday roast £15-19. Friendly staff, level access through the hotel lobby and, of course, an easy-to-access toilet make it a great option for a treat.
Dirty eats
Ahhh, Solita. Even the name makes me salivate. Tucked away in the Northern Quarter on Turner Street, this burger place is always busy. Order yourself a Breakfast Martini, eye up the other tables monster burgers and forget the diet. Booking is not an option if there’s less than six of you, and despite the staff being super friendly, pulling the wheelchair card doesn’t win you priority booking on a busy night. Wear an elasticated waist band for optimum enjoyment.
Star venue
Cornerhouse is Manchester’s arthouse cinema venue and, as you may expect from an arty place, they go the extra mile for their disabled visitors. The main cinema across the road is easy rolling, with a loo too. To get into the cinemas in the main building you’ll need to use a lift and a platform lift, so leave a few extra minutes spare. Mention you’re a wheelchair user and a carer can accompany you for free. There are art galleries upstairs and the food on the first floor is pretty good too!
There’s a whole stack of other great venues, restaurants, cafés and galleries to explore. However, being a city of old buildings tied up in regulations, universal access to all, it seems, will never be possible. Sometimes you’ve just got to suck it up and embrace what’s what. That said, things are improving and, most of the time, staff will help out if there are a few stairs to negotiate. So go forth and enjoy!
Words: Stuart Ellis