Sensory experience planned for theatregoers

Scented plants and wind chimes could lead to the front of Bournemouth Pavilion as architects consider sensory ways to make the area enjoyable for all.

Consultants from DOTS Disability are working closely with Bournemouth Council’s building control team and architect Whitfield & Lockwood to come up with innovative ideas to make the outside area accessible.

A planning application has been submitted to remove car parking from the Pavilion forecourt in favour of a public square with a fountain and an avenue of trees. The work with DOTS will help architects form a design and access statement to be considered alongside that application.

Beccy Brookwell, access surveyor at Bournemouth Council, said: "We've tried to ensure that the needs of all disabled people are considered by creating an inclusive environment. We want disabled people to access the refurbished Pavilion by the same routes as non-disabled visitors so the experience is shared.

“We’re advising the architect which surfaces are best for wheelchair-users, where ramps are required and where seating could be placed. We could soon have a building which visitors can access and enjoy by using their sense of smell, touch or hearing.”

Developer Trevor Osborne, who is investing £13million into the restoration of the Pavilion, said: “Bournemouth Pavilion is around 80 years old and certainly wasn’t built with easy access for everyone. I hope our work to make it accessible will be a cutting edge example of good development practice. I’m very grateful to DOTS Disability for their ideas.”

Jonathan Waddington-Jones of DOTS Disability said: “Our representatives include wheelchair users, residents with visual and hearing impairment, those with learning difficulties and those receiving mental health support. They all had very practical ideas of how access could be improved to suit their needs. We’d welcome the opportunity to work with more developers on this basis.”

Plans to restore the outside of the building include a new box office and coffee shop with glass canopies fronting onto the Pavilion forecourt, using existing rooms at each side of the building.

Car parking spaces lost due to the improvements will be provided below the planned casino leisure development next door to the Pavilion, on the corner of Bath Road and Westover Road.