Your health and safety is the most important thing
The safety and well-being of our audiences and staff (most of whom are volunteers) is our top priority. We run a number of safety precautions with health in mind, so that we are able to welcome audiences confidently, comfortably and safely for everyone.
Here’s everything you need to know about the measures we implement at the Garrick. If you want to know more, contact our Theatre Management Team, via e-mail to admin@altrinchamgarrick.co.uk
Planning Your Visit
- As with our own team, we remind you to stay at home if you have a cough, cold, are feeling unwell or are showing any of the coronavirus symptoms listed by the NHS, if you have you come into contact with anyone who is unwell, or if it has been less than two weeks since you have started to feel better.
- We encourage the wearing of face masks in our Theatre but it is not compulsory. Feel free to bring and wear your own mask if you need/want to or these can be purchased from our kiosk.
- Please book in advance, online or by phoning the Box Office on 0161 928 1677. Tickets may not always be available on the door.
- All payment transactions in-house are using contactless cards – cash is not accepted.
- To keep contact to a minimum, you can print tickets at home or download them to your mobile phone, to be scanned by our Front of House staff before you enter the auditorium.
- Performances will start at the time advertised. Please arrive no earlier than one hour before each performance, but arrive in good time to allow us to seat you safely and in comfort. The auditorium will be opened shortly before each advertised start time; before it opens you are welcome to relax in our bar.
- The bar (alcoholic and soft drinks) is normally open one hour before every show, during every interval, and also after the end of the show. The kiosk (soft drinks and confectionery) is open before the show and during every interval. Contactless payment only, remember!
In The Building
- We encourage the wearing of face-masks in our Theatre, however they are optional.
- We’ve installed multiple hand-sanitiser stations for our audience and staff. You must use these when entering our building and you must adhere to the NHS rules on handwashing.
- Toilet access is one-in/one-out to ensure that there is plenty of room.
- We carry out extra deep-cleaning practices as well as our regular cleaning routines – particularly on any high contact surfaces. You can be guaranteed that, when you enter the building for each performance, it is as clean as we can make it.
- We operate a one-way system to enter and exit the building. The entrance is up the steps or ramp via the south “Altrincham side” door.
Altrincham Garrick Staff
- All of the Garrick staff (most of whom are unpaid volunteers) have received COVID-19 specific training and are happy to help you safely in any way that we can.
- Our Front of House Manager will be on hand to address any queries during your visit. Front of House staff sit in attendance in the auditorium during every performance.
If you have any questions ahead of booking, please email admin@altrinchamgarrick.co.uk or check the FAQs below.
We look forward to seeing you at the Altrincham Garrick, so that we can celebrate live theatre, live music, great cinema and theatrical screenings with you. By working together, we can support the Garrick, keep the arts strong in Altrincham and enjoy fantastic entertainment.
Thank you for all of your cooperation and support!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you not asking us to wear masks?
Like the legislation on wearing masks in shops, mask wearing in a theatre is deemed by the government to be optional. When sitting and watching a performance, we appreciate that wearing a mask can detract from the enjoyment. In addition, we believe that the large air spaces in our main auditorium and in our studio theatre provide sufficient air flow to mitigate against carrying COVID-19.
What is being done to keep the auditorium and building well-ventilated?
We do all that we can to keep the building well-ventilated. In particular, note that a large powerful air-extraction system in the auditorium ensures that there is a constant air-flow from ground level up to the ceiling, and air is continually being replaced by fresh air from outside. (Well, as fresh as the air ever gets in Altrincham, anyway !)
When can we book tickets?
You can book your tickets online now (and this is the recommended way of booking). You can also book via the Box Office – see here for details.
How do I find my seat in the main auditorium?
Your ticket will have your row and seat number on it. A Front of House team-member will help show you where this seat is. Seats at the back half of the main auditorium are accessed from the foyer up the steps and into the back of the auditorium (Entrance A). Seats in the front half of the main auditorium, including for those with reduced mobility, are accessed step-free from the foyer via the side-door into the auditorium (Entrance B).
Is the Lauriston Studio open?
Yes, we are pleased to be able to host performances in our smaller Lauriston Studio. Each seat in there also has its unique seat and row number. Access to the Lauriston Studio is via the main entrance on the south “Altrincham side” of the building; again we invite you to arrive well on time and relax in the bar before the performance starts.
Are the toilets open?
Our toilets are open to audiences and staff. These are cleaned regularly and operate on a one in/one out policy. Please make sure you visit the toilet before going to your seat. While we don’t intend to prevent you visiting the toilet during the performance, we would prefer you not to do so – so as not to disrupt the performance and to let everyone follow social distancing guidelines.
Will the kiosk be open ?
The kiosk will be open before each show and also during any intervals. All payment must be made using contactless cards. It would help us if you buy all your snacks and drinks before going to your seat.
Will the bar be open ?
The bar will be fully open before and after each show, and during each interval. An at-table waiter service is provided. Again, contactless payment only.
Whom can I speak to in the building if I have any queries whilst I am there?
The Front of House Manager or his Deputy will be on hand for every screening.
Are there likely to be changes to these safety measures or procedures?
We will follow all guidelines from local and national government, the NHS and the UK Cinema Association, and may change our procedures appropriately. However, please be assured that the safety of everyone in the building is our priority, and changes will only be made if it is safe to do so.
