It was not before time that we have pulled together an updated Accessibility Policy for WinterStorm in 2023. It is far from perfect but it is intended to assist in the decision making before purchasing tickets for any of our events and also advising on practices ahead of arrival. We will without doubt amend and update based on comments and suggestions received.

The Venue

Troon Concert Hall is an old school venue with old school issues and none more so than when it comes to disabled access.

As we don't own the building we are up against what we can do to resolve some of the issues due to historic layout, access and exits and a lack of lifts. However we have always tried to do our very best and following on from the improvements made in 2023 we will continue to try to do a wee bit more.

Event Access

The venue has excellent access and facilities for all ground floor areas which includes the main concert hall, the Walker Hall for food, merchandise and seating and all toilet and bar facilities.

There is however no access to the balcony area above the main concert hall nor to the second stage in the Sessions Room. There is a wheelchair lift to this room (Reception Room) but it is linked to a service corridor and is NOT accessible during Out of Bounds as this is a working corridor and not deemed a public area.

We have in previous years created a small area in the right hand side of the main concert hall for wheelchair seats and seating for the less able. This year we will be creating a small raised ramped area to the right hand side of the hall underneath the balcony. This will have limited availability and should be booked at the time of the tickets for user plus maximum of one carer again email events@pplanbonline.co.uk

Please note these restrictions before purchasing your ticket.

Carer and Companion Ticketing Policy

Updated for 2024

We have always applied an ad hoc policy of tickets for carers but we confirmed in September that for 2023 we were putting a formal policy on place to make things easier. 

There are still going to be a restricted number of complimentary carer tickets available for different nights so please contact us as soon as possible to confirm availability before booking your ticket.

These tickets are issued subject to confirmation of needs and at first we suggested that we needed basic evidence to support each request.

In practice this may sound reasonable but it is open to a number of flaws including unavailability of paperwork or out of date proof. It is also more intrusive than we want it to be and we have decided that for 2023 a self certification system will be applied and based on a simple understanding that a carer is required for the person to attend the event safely.

This is an "honesty box system" for WinterStorm and therefore is operated wholly on the good faith of those requesting the ticket and we think that in the spirit of fairness all we ask is that the ticket buyer considers whether the Companion would have purchased the ticket anyway and whether a complimentary ticket is appropriate. We won't however question this further.

Guests who have requested Carer Tickets will be asked to provide the nominated carers name which will be on the issued ticket. The tickets will only be valid when handed together and proof of identity may be requested at check in. They are non transferrable.

Quiet Spaces

For those who have been to one of our festival events before you know that since the outset we have always provided the escape space in the central room - The Hing Oot Hall - this was a deliberate response to our own experiences as venue users and recognised that disabilities are not just visible ones and that the need for a recovery space to rest the senses was a major issue for a surprising number of us attending events. The Hing Oot Hall is well lit, low background music and has plenty of seating. It's hardly a library setting but it does offer respite form the full on audio and visual bombardment in the two venues.

The external space speaks for itself. A wee walk along the beach before, during or after the event is incredibly healing. Take advantage of it even if it's chucking it down and blowing a hoolie!

Here's the layout as it stands for 2024. It will be updated with details of the raised platform once permission has been approved.