As the Festival of Ideas is a programme of free and accessible public events on a wide range of themes in and around Chester, co-created by the University of Chester and external stakeholders and city partners, you can expect events to include; speakers, discussion panels, theatre, pop-up exhibitions, interactive events, music, readings, guided walks and many more!
Our hub for the Festival will be in Chester Town Hall. Some festival events will be held here and you can also access information, guides and programmes on the festival.
We will also be holding events in other locations around the city.
Sensory Backpacks
We have sensory backpacks available for Festival goers who wish to use them, for both children and adults. Our sensory backpacks includes resources that provide support with engaging with the festival events.
They include headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys and sensory aids. They are free to use and are available at the main festival desk inside the entrance to Chester Town Hall.
Accessibility
All levels of Chester Town Hall are accessible.
There is lift access to the different floors which is available through a side entrance to the Town Hall via Princess Street.
The only room in the Town Hall that is not fully accessible is the Courtroom.
Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us if you require any further accessibility arrangements for the festival, we are happy to help.
Not all events outside the Town Hall are accessible, do check the event details or contact us for any information on accessibility. For example, walks may be over uneven surfaces, include steps, not have shade and need appropriate clothing and footwear.
If events are suitable for under 16s they must be accompanied by a suitable adult.
Guidance for Event Attendees
At Chester Festival of Ideas we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and accessible space for our Festival audience and participants. Below you can find our guidelines for events. Please note that your attendance signifies your agreement to abide by these guidelines.
Guidelines Festival Events
- The hub for the Festival will be the Town Hall, if you have any questions, concerns or queries please go there and find one of our Festival volunteers.
- Festival volunteers will be in the Town Hall and at some of our events wearing Festival T-Shirts if you need a point of contact during the Festival.
- Your attendance indicates that you agree to comply with all applicable health and safety, security, fire and other rules and regulations in force at the event, and to follow the instructions of event organisers, stewards and venue staff. Failure to do so could result in you being refused admittance or being asked to leave an event.
- Unless event guidance states otherwise, all children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Not all events may be fully accessible, walks may be over uneven surfaces, include steps, offer little shade, and may need suitable clothing and footwear.
- Threatening or anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in you being asked to leave immediately.
- Our Festival events should be welcoming, inclusive, supportive and safe events, where people feel that they are able to express themselves. We are keen to create a safe space for different views and encourage respectful discussion, debate and exchange of views. The use of professional cameras, video and/or audio equipment is not allowed without the prior permission of the event organisers. If your behaviour does not meet these standards, you may be asked to leave the event.
- Occasionally our events are filmed, photographed or recorded by the Festival team or venue. Please let a member of the Festival team know before the event if you do not consent to be photographed, filmed or recorded.
- Admission to ticketed events is on a first-come, first-served basis. Not everyone who asks for tickets uses them, and to ensure we have a good-sized audience, we send out more tickets than there are places. While we do our best to get the numbers right, unfortunately we occasionally have to disappoint people. We therefore reserve the right to refuse admittance if the venue is full.
- Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone arriving late if this will disrupt an event that has already started.
- Tickets should be shown at the event entrance in print or on your smartphone. Admittance cannot be guaranteed without a ticket, even if you arrive at the event on time, as those with tickets will be admitted first.
- Occasionally an event needs to be cancelled or the time changed due to circumstances outside our control or because of a lack of public interest. If this happens, you will be contacted by the email address you provided at the time of booking.
- If you require a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Checklist and are attending an event at the town hall, we need you to fill in a PEEP form on the day when you arrive at the Town Hall, we will have these forms at the Festival Desk.