Better Live at Lincoln Castle concert access promised after talks

BBC News

22-04-2025

A man who has been calling for better accessibility at concerts in Lincoln after a "dangerous" experience last year is confident there will not be a repeat.Richard Adams, 45, who runs Facebook page Disabled in Lincoln, has been in talks with Live at Lincoln Castle organisers Cuffe & Taylor to improve the experience for disabled people this year.Issues raised from the 2024 concerts included not being able to see the stage, a lack of accessible toilets and cobbles and cables in the accessibility lane.Cuffe & Taylor said it had been "working closely" with Disabled in Lincoln, Lincoln Castle and Lincolnshire County Council to "improve facilities for customers with accessible requirements".
Mr Adams, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, went to see Kaiser Chiefs on 28 June last year and said it was "both dangerous and unpleasant"."You felt you were trapped in an area and there was no way you were going to get out," he said.Since then, he has been in talks with Cuffe & Taylor to implement changes, and he said the company had been "really proactive"."I'm confident everything inside the castle area will be much better," he said.
Cuffe & Taylor said changes for this year's concerts will include moving the accessible area closer to the site entrance for better access to the disabled toilets, raising the accessible platform higher for a better view of the stage and a direct seat drinks service for guests in this area.Hazel May Michael, 47, who lives in Lincoln and uses a mobility scooter, attended a Madness concert at the castle on 29 June.She said she remembered "physically shaking and shivering" from anxiety and stress due to huge power cables which jolted her in her medium-path scooter.This year she will be going to see Rag'N'Bone Man and said it all sounded positive on the changes being made.She added: "I'll be looking out for where the vendors [food/merchandise stalls] are, how easy it will be to get into the area and out to vendors and what the view will be like."
A spokesperson for Cuffe & Taylor said that Minster Yard will be used as the pick-up and drop-off location so guests can be "much closer to the site entrance".They also said there would be a dedicated accessible manager and team on site for all show days who specialise in supporting deaf, disabled and neurodivergent guests at large-scale events.
'Removing barriers'
Mr Adams added: "There are often several things in the way and hitting those points every time you go out becomes demoralising."We all know going out is good for you physically and mentally, so removing any barriers to people getting out without having literal things in their way just helps everybody."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.