Our Aim
Our aim is to create an inclusive environment where all customers, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy exceptional service, a diverse range of entertainment and the complete Regal experience without barriers.
Our Approach
At The Regal, we are committed to creating a venue that is inclusive and accessible for everyone in our community. We take pride in addressing the needs of each individual to the best of our ability in order to provide an equally enjoyable experience for all. All our staff are trained to understand neurodiversity and accessibility.
If there is anything we can do or adjustments we can make to ensure our venue is more accessible to you, please do not hesitate to get in touch at regal@stowmarket.org.
Arriving at The Regal
There are many ways customers can reach The Regal, including on foot, by car, by bicycle or by public transport. Stowmarket Train Station is just a 9-minute walk away and the Ipswich Reds 88 bus service stops just 150 metres from the front of the venue. We also have a bicycle parking facility at the front of the venue.
We are located directly next to Ipswich Street Car Park which has a limited number of parking spaces available including 4 disabled spaces and 6 EV charging bays. The nearest alternative car park is Milton Road, located outside B&M. We encourage customers to explore local parking options ahead of their visit to ensure their requirements are accommodated.
There is a flight of 13 stairs to the front of the venue with handrails either side and down the centre of the staircase. However, some customers may find it more convenient to enter via Ipswich Street Car Park. Please note that there is a short but steep incline at the car park entrance due to The Regal's elevated position.
Venue Accessibility
The entire venue, including The 1936 Café Bar, offers level access for all customers. Regal 1, 2, and 3 each provide two designated wheelchair bays, with their locations differing across the auditoriums. This ensures that wheelchair users have the best opportunity to enjoy the diverse range of programming offered at The Regal.
The table below details the wheelchair bay and companion/carer seat numbers and their locations in each of our auditoriums:
*E2 in Regal 2 is bookable as either a wheelchair bay or a carer/companion seat.
Each of our auditoriums have a number of steps within, please refer to the auditorium layouts below for further details on step locations:
Regal 1
Regal 2
Regal 3
The Regal has two accessible toilet facilities for our customers, with one to the left side of the foyer as you arrive and the other behind The 1936 Café Bar, by Regal 2.
We also have wheelchair access for visiting artists/performers with level access to the stage and an additional accessible WC backstage.
The 1936 Café Bar
The 1936 Café Bar features level access for wheelchair users and is located with easy access to two accessible toilets. To provide an equally enjoyable experience for all, we take great care to ensure we can cater towards individual needs, which is why we offer plenty of gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy free options available on our menu.
If you require assistance with reading our menu or with ordering at the bar, please ask a member of staff and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.
Box Office
The wheelchair companion seats (next to wheelchair bays) are available to cares/companions of wheelchair users and to those who have accessibility requirements.
We have a low-level box office counter for collecting or purchasing tickets or snacks.
When booking film tickets for a customer with an accompanying carer, customers should select the appropriate ticket type (Adult, Child or Concession), you can then add a CEA Carer/Companion ticket which will need to be validated by inputting the CEA Cardholder’s unique CEA card number. Please note that CEA cards are only useable against film ticket purchases. To find out more about CEA Cards, please visit https://www.ceacard.co.uk/ or refer to our T&C’s.
Companion/Carer Tickets
A Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card (CEA) will entitle you to one complimentary companion/carer film ticket should you require one for your visit. You can sign up to the CEA card scheme by visiting https://www.ceacard.co.uk/. Please note, CEA cards can only be used to obtain carer tickets to film screenings, for live shows and event cinema, you will need to have an Access Card.
Access Cards translate individual’s needs into symbols, serving as recognised proof of individuals unique requirements, which allows our staff to recognise and cater for these upon your visit. For those with the “+1” symbol on their card, this would allow you to bring your carer/companion along with you for a complimentary or substantially reduced ticket price, provided a full price ticket is purchased for live shows and event cinema. Find out more about Access Cards by visiting https://www.accesscard.online/ or refer to our T&C’s.
Cinema Performance Types
We are proud to boast a wide range of different screening types at The Regal that aims to ensure that we are accessible to everyone. To find out more about our accessible screenings, click the links below for the relevant screening type:
Baby Friendly Screenings – With low level lighting, reduced sound levels and a relaxed attitude, our baby friendly screenings are perfect for new-borns to relax in whilst you enjoy a “grown up” movie.
When looking for these screenings on our website, they are marked with “BF”.
Relaxed Screenings – Relaxed screenings are suitable for individuals with Dementia, Autism, or other Neurodiversity. Often showing new film releases, they feature adaptations like low lighting, reduced sound, and a relaxed atmosphere for talking and movement. Paid carers can attend for free with appropriate ID.
When looking for these screenings on our website, they are marked with “RX”.
Family Relaxed Screenings – Family relaxed screenings are particularly suitable for families with SEND children or other Neurodiversity to enjoy a fun morning out! Often showing older film releases, these feature adaptations like low lighting, reduced sound, and a relaxed atmosphere for talking and movement for you to enjoy a classic family film. Paid carers can attend for free with appropriate ID, and we also offer a free parent/carer ticket per child ticket for these screenings.
When looking for these screenings on our website, they are marked with “RX”.
Subtitled Screenings – Suitable for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. These screenings feature transcribed text of speech and other sound from the film at the bottom of the screen. There are no other changes made to subtitled screenings.
When looking for these screenings on our website, they are marked with “ST”.
Pocket Money Movies – Pocket Money Movies are older/classic family friendly films with a ticket price of just £2.50. We hold these screenings on weekend mornings and more frequently during school holidays. Our Pocket Money Movies are great for younger children and make for a perfect 1st time cinema experience!
When looking for these screenings on our website, they are marked with “PMM”.
Audio Description - A form of narration used to provide information surrounding key visual elements in a film, suitable for blind and visually impaired customers. Audio description is available on almost all our films. Please let a member of staff know upon your visit that you require an audio description headset. You are welcome to bring your own headphones to use with these, but they must have a 3.5mm aux cable. However, where this service is not available, each individual screening will be labelled "NAD" (Not Audio Described) on our website.
Visual impairment
For most of our screenings, our audio description service is available, although those few screenings that do not support this are tagged on our website as “NAD”. Please be aware that we have a limited number of headsets available and so are provided on a first come first served basis, these can be borrowed from the box office.
Assistance dogs are more than welcome at The Regal in all three auditoria and The 1936 Café Bar. However, they must be showing appropriate guide dog symbols such as a lead or bandana, for example. Assistance dogs are not permitted on the seats and must keep their paws on the floor. We are happy to provide water bowls if needed. If booking by phone, please inform the box office that you will be bringing an assistance dog, so they can select appropriate seats for you.
For theatrical performances, we are happy to offer touch tours of the set. Please email regal@stowmarket.org to enquire about booking for this.
Hearing impairment
Hearing loops are supported in all three of our auditoriums when watching films and event cinema. We also have hearing loop support at our Box Office on Till 1 (till on your left as you enter the building) and on our Café Bar Till.
To make use of this, customers must switch their hearing aids to the 'T' position.
Word of Thanks
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Mid Suffolk Disability Forum for their help and advice with regard to the requirements of customers. We would also like to thank you, our customers for providing constructive feedback and supporting us so passionately!
If you have any feedback or suggestions about our venue, please do not hesitate to contact us at regal@stowmarket.org.
