Information for Disabled Visitors
Find information on access and parking, toilets, hearing assistance, medical facilities, mobility equipment hire and dedicated ticket lines.
If you have any queries or need assistance during your visit, please contact any member of staff who will be happy to help.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
For further information on accessibility to The NEC Piazza (Halls 1 - 5) and The NEC Atrium (Halls 6 - 20) please click on the following link.
Access & Parking
If travelling by train disembark at Birmingham International Railway Station, access to The NEC and The NEC Arena is via the bridge-link.
Approximate distance from the International Rail Station to:
- NEC Piazza Entrance (Hall 1- 5) 350 metres
- NEC Atrium Entrance 3 (Halls 6-20) 650 metres
- Hall 17 1000 metres
- LG Arena 600 metres
- Length of Bridge link 180 metres (see Piazza/Atrium map)
- Length of Skywalk 376 metres (see Atrium map)
All levels of The NEC and the LG Arena are accessible to wheelchair users, via lifts. The Piazza and Atrium main entrances have automatic doors.
Parking is free of charge for vehicles displaying blue badges. This service cannot be pre-booked and is available on a first come first served basis.
Traffic Officers will direct you to the nearest available designated parking area according to your time of arrival. Please see car park map (Add map) for assistance or click on the link above.
Car park facilities can change depending upon the event. Please phone 0121 780 4141 in advance for further information and to check whether there is a drop off point available near to the entrance.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at our venues, but we do not recommend you bring Assistance Dogs to events where noise levels are high.
Hearing Impairments
Induction loop audio systems are fitted in the following locations:
- All Piazza cloakrooms and ticket booths
- Selected cloakrooms and ticket booths in the Atrium
- Concourse Suites 1 and 2
- Gallery Seminar Rooms 1, 2 and 3
Please contact 0121 780 4141 to be directed to the appropriate team, if you require assistance regarding a hearing loop.
Dedicated Telephone Ticket Line (Ticket Factory)
All disabled visitors, attending concerts are advised to call our Dedicated Ticket Line for disabled visitors on 0844 581 0700 when booking tickets. Please inform us at the time of booking if you need a wheelchair space or have any special requirements, so that we can arrange for everything to be ready on your arrival.
We will also help you find the most convenient seating for visitors with visual impairment.
Please note that all ticket sales are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Dedicated ticket line opening times:
0900–2100 7 days a week (not including Public Holidays)
Please check with Ticket Factory opening hours on a Public Holiday.
Medical Facilities
- The main Medical Centre is in the Atrium, by Atrium entrance 2, opposite Hall 8. Opening hours are dependant on site activity.
- The Piazza Medical Centre is located next to Hall 5 and opening hours are dependant on site activity.
If you require a private area for personal care, (eg private changing facilities) and for opening hours, please contact our medical centre in advance of your visit on 0121 780 4141.
Medical Emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency please notify a member of Security or any member of staff who will be pleased to help you. Alternatively, call the Medical Centre on 2222 using the internal telephones located inside the main venues.
Mobility Equipment Hire Service
For exhibitions at The NEC, our service partner, Bartram’s operate a mobility equipment hire service. We strongly advise visitors to pre book equipment to avoid disappointment. Bartram’s operate a telephone booking line Monday to Friday 0900hrs-1700hrs on 01353 778756. Visitor can also book via Bartram’s website http://www.bartrams.net. For any visitors who have not pre booked equipment and arrive on the day, any remaining stock will be issued on a first- come, first-served basis. Manual wheelchairs are free of charge to blue badge holders, £5 per day to other visitors. Electric scooters are £15 per day for all visitors. This is a non-refundable scheme. As Bartram’s location varies from show to show, please check collection point when making a booking.
Prayer Room/ Quiet Room
The prayer/quiet room, located between Subway and Hall 2 in The Piazza is a place where visitors can go to for quiet time or reflection. Opening times are between 0830-2100 every day. Please contact NEC Group Chaplain Stephen Willey direct on 0121 767 2911 or email stephen.willey@necgroup.co.uk for more information.
Toilets
Regarding the locations of accessible toilets in the venue, please see links at the top the page. In The NEC exhibition halls there are Male and Female wheelchair accessible toilets.
Help Us Improve Our Service
An in-house committee meets regularly to address services for disabled visitors, and regular audits of our building are undertaken in respect of access.
If you have any suggestions or comments to make, please advise a member of staff. Alternatively, write to:
Visitor Liaison Manager
Visitor Experience Department
The NEC
Birmingham B40 1NT
E: feedback@necgroup.co.uk
