
Welcome back to City Varieties Music Hall
City Varieties Music Hall is open! We are so excited to be able to welcome audiences back and have done everything we can to make our venue COVID-19 secure, and your visit a safe and enjoyable experience.
For your peace of mind, you will find detailed information below about all the steps we have, and continue to, put in place, and what you can expect when you visit* (bear with us, there is a lot, but all necessary). We are committed to making you and our employees feel comfortable whilst in our building, and whilst we think we have covered all areas, if, for any reason, you think we could be doing better, please contact us at feedback@leedsheritagetheatres.com.
As you are aware, the situation (and advice), is changing daily. Please check back here every time you visit the venue to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Date updated 22 October 2020. You can also find out more information about local rules and restrictions by visiting Leeds City Council’s website.
*All steps follow health and safety measures set out by the government and Public Health England. We have also worked with RB Health and Safety Solutions to ensure best practice.

Our safety measures in brief.
Things we are doing to help you
Reduced capacity and socially distanced seating
Staggered arrival times and temperature checks
Clear signage and additional staff help
Additional cleaning and PPE
Hand sanitiser stations
Clear guidance on refunds
Things you can do to help us
Don’t visit if you have any symptoms of COVID-19
Book your ticket online and use contactless payment in the venue
Keep a safe distance
Wear a mask or face covering unless eating or drinking
Wash your hands regularly
Check-in using the QR code scanner (this will be on the back of the seat in front of you)
Our safety measures in pictures.
*Please note, images were taken before the most recent government guidance stipulating that all staff must wear masks – we were going to give them the choice of mask and/or visor – now, they will be wearing both (unless exempt).
Image credit Ant Robling.
Find out more…
Things we are doing to help you
Reduced capacity and socially distanced seating
All areas of the theatre, including our auditorium and bar have been reconfigured to make social distancing possible. We remain fully accessible. You can find all our access information online here
We advise any visitor, who knowingly may have reason to leave the auditorium during the screening/live performance, to book aisle seats or seats close to the aisle to avoid disrupting other audience members. Seated audience members do not need to vacate the row but must stand to allow others to pass
AuditoriumThe number of seats in the auditorium have been reduced to ensure visitors have enough space around them to socially distance. We are operating two different configurations - one for screenings, and one for live performance. These arrangements will allow us to keep everybody safe, whilst maximising capacity
Screenings- Seats will be sold in pairs with two seats left empty in between – these seats will be clearly marked. We ask that if you come in larger groups (no more than six people) you do not move into the empty seats to be next to each other as this has a knock-on effect to the people in the next row. Please trust us on this
- We are operating a ‘chessboard style’ seating arrangement, whereby every other seat will be left empty – these seats will be clearly marked. This does mean that you won’t be sat directly next to the person/people you have come with but there will only be one seat in between. We ask that you do not move into the empty seat next to you as this has a knock-on effect to the people in the next row. Please trust us on this
For access and wheelchair spaces, please contact boxoffice@leedsheritagetheatres.com
Bars- Our Stalls and Circle bars are both open. We are operating a queuing system that is clearly identified by socially distanced markers on the floor and rope system. Screens are in place, and we are only accepting contactless methods of payment – no cash. There is not seating in the Circle bar; all drinks must be consumed in your seats – we advise you stock up (sensibly) to save too many trips!
In line with government guidance, masks/face coverings must always be worn in the building (seated and moving around), unless when eating or drinking, or you have an exemption (including children aged 10-years or younger). Screens are not in place in the auditorium as we do not want to block any visitors view
A lift to all floors is available with a maximum occupancy of two people. We ask that visitors be considerate of those with access needs and take the stairs when possible.
All our toilets will be open during your visit, including an accessible toilet at Stalls level. Our toilets will be manned by a member of staff to help control the amount of people using them and several sinks (in both the men's and women’s toilets) have been placed ‘out of order’ to help maintain social distancing. We politely ask visitors to use the toilets in a timely fashion and not wait for family/friends.
Staggered arrival times and temperature checks
To minimise the amount of people arriving at the same time and having to queue, we are operating staggered arrival times - these will be clearly marked on your ticket when booking. We ask that you adhere to these times as much as possible
When you arrive, a queuing system will be in place, clearly marked with socially distanced markers and ropes. This queue will be outside so please come prepared for the Great British weather! We ask that you have your ticket (PDF or on your phone) ready to be scanned to save time. Your temperature will be taken by a member of our staff and we will also be conducting bag searches – we ask that you don’t bring large bags as The Varieties does not have a cloakroom to store them or other items
Clear signage and additional staff
COVID-19 safety signage is displayed throughout the building to help signpost key areas and navigate our venue in the safest and easiest way. We ask that you adhere to our one-way systems etc. to help keep fellow visitors and staff safe
We have increased the numbers of staff working on every shift to help manage our additional safety measures and procedures. We ask that you are respectful of them and help make them feel safe too. Thank you
Additional cleaning and PPE
As well as our usual high levels of cleaning, we have introduced additional measures to ensure the building is as clean and safe as possible at all times, including having a team on hand to clean public areas and toilets when the screenings/live performance has started to ensure they are clean for the interval (if applicable), or when exiting the building. In line with guidelines, The Varieties will also be ‘fogged’ on a regular basis using an antiviral fogging machine as an extra precaution
Staff have received extra training so they can return to work in the building safely. They will be wearing masks and visors, and screens have been installed in our Box Office and bars
Hand sanitiser stations
Refunds
Refunds
Screenings- We will provide refunds for any pre-booked tickets when cancelled within 24hrs prior to the event. If you, or a member of your household/support bubble, is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms after this time, please contact our Box Office as soon as you can (before the performance) and we will look to transfer you to another performance or issue a credit note for use later. Please note, our Box Office is currently operating a limited phone service on 0113 243 0808 : 10am till 2pm, Monday to Friday only - please use email at all other times to contact us boxoffice@leedsheritagetheatres.com
- All customers will have their temperatures checked on arrival as part of our COVID-19 safety measures. If you, or any of your group have a temperature of 37.8 degrees centigrade or above, none of the group will be admitted and we will issue a refund.
- Due to ongoing concerns over COVID-19, you can request a monetary refund up to one month before the date of the performance you're due to attend. Alternatively, you can request a credit note up to two weeks before the performance date. This is subject to change at any time
- If you, or a member of your household/support bubble, is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms after this time, please contact our Box Office as soon as you can (before the performance) and we will look to transfer you to another performance or issue a credit note for use later.
- All customers will have their temperatures checked on arrival as part of our COVID-19 safety measures. If you, or any of your group have a temperature of 37.8 degrees centigrade or above, none of the group will be admitted and we will issue a refund (minus booking fees*)
- For live performances we recommend purchasing ticket protection via Booking Protect as part of your booking – their COVID-19 terms and conditions can be found online here. The option will be presented to you as part of the booking process and any claims can be made directly via their website
*Booking fees are non-refundable as stated in our Terms & Conditions.
Things you can do to help us
Don’t visit if you have any symptoms of COVID-19
We ask that visitors do not attend our venue if you have:
- experienced any of the symptoms outlined on the NHS website in the last 14 days and have not received a negative test
- been in close proximity with anyone who has had symptoms in the last 14 days, or has been told to self-isolate
- recently returned from abroad and have been told to quarantine
Book your ticket online
Our Box Office is currently operating a limited phone service on 0113 243 0808 : 10am till 2pm, Monday to Friday only. We would still recommend you book online wherever possible - if you are not able to, you can use contactless payment at our Box Office when it opens one hour before the screening/live performance starts (you can only book for the same day's/night's screening/live performance not future showings, and you will be required to leave your contact details for NHS Test & Trace purposes). We do not advise visitors to book in person; booking online helps to minimise contact and keep everybody safe, and also guarantees you a seat.
We are currently unable to post tickets due to COVID-19. You will receive electronic versions via email to be printed at home or shown on your phone when visiting our venue. It is also more considerate to the planet
Use contactless payment whilst in the venue
Keep a safe distance
Wear a mask or face covering
We ask visitors to follow the latest Government guidance regarding masks and face coverings. Currently, this means you must wear a face covering at all times whilst in our building (seated and moving around), and only remove if eating or drinking, or you have an exemption (including children aged 10-years or younger). Whilst we respect that not everyone can wear face coverings, we trust that our visitors will make the right choice for themselves and others, and not make our staff’s job any harder by having to enforce this unnecessarily
Face coverings should cover the nose and mouth and can include a shop-bought or homemade mask, scarf, bandana or religious garment, so long as the covering fits around the side of your face. Disposable masks will be available to purchase at the theatre entrance for £1 should you forget