Welcome back to City Varieties Music Hall

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.

Auditorium

The 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

Live performance 

• 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 

We endeavour to open both our Stalls and Circle bars, but are offering an ‘in seat’ drinks service, whereby you will be able to order drinks/snacks via an app and a member of staff will deliver them to your seat. A QR code displayed in the venue will take you to the app. We will be running a reduced drinks menu for the immediate future to aid speed of service

If our bars are 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 no seating in the Circle bar; all drinks must be consumed in your seats – we advise you stock up (sensibly) to save too many trips! 

General

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.  

We are operating staggered arrival times at The Varieties to help with social distancing – these are clearly marked on your tickets and we ask that you adhere to them 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. Information about where you can store large bags in Leeds city centre can be found at Radical Storage.

COVID-19 safety signage is displayed throughout our buildings to help signpost key areas and navigate our venues in the safest and easiest way

We have increased the numbers of staff working on every shift to help manage our additional safety measures and procedures. All staff have also been given extra training in COVID-19 compliance regulations, and will continue to wear face masks and/or visors. We ask that you are respectful of them and help make them feel safe too. Thank you

As well as our usual high levels of cleaning, we have introduced additional measures to ensure our buildings are as clean and safe as possible at all times, including having a team on hand to clean public areas and toilets once the performance/screening has started to ensure they are clean for the interval (if applicable), or when exiting the building. In line with guidelines, our venues 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

Keeping your hands clean and avoiding touching your face are two of the best defences against COVID-19. We have installed hand sanitiser stations at the entrance, exit and around our buildings, and ask visitors to use them, as well as washing their hands thoroughly and regularly

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 4pm, 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 you will be asked to stand to the side for five minutes before repeating the process. If, after the second time, you’re temperature is still 37.8 degrees centigrade or above, none of the group will be admitted and we will issue a refund.

Live performances

• 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 you will be asked to stand to the side for five minutes before repeating the process. If, after the second time, you’re temperature is still 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. 

We ask that visitors do not attend our venues 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 

We recommend that you book online wherever possible – if you are not able to, you can contact us on 0113 243 0808, Monday-Saturday from 10am-6pm, or up-to 15 minutes after the start of a performance/screening if one is programmed for that day, or use contactless payment at our Box Office. 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

Please use contactless payment at all sales points in our buildings

The chance of infection increases the closer you are to people. We are asking visitors to maintain a 1 metre plus distance wherever possible from other visitors who are not members of your household or support bubble. We have signage, queuing systems and additional staff in place to help you navigate our space in the safest and easiest way. 

Masks are mandatory at our venues and must be worn, only removing them if eating or drinking, or if you are exempt. 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 that our staff will not have to enforce the use of them

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.

Please keep your hands clean by washing them regularly or using our hand sanitiser stations which have been installed around the building

All customers MUST download the NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app and check-in to our venue by scanning the QR codes at the entrance. If you, or a member of your party, is unable to scan the QR code, your name and telephone number will be recorded manually by a member of staff and held on record for 21 days. This process is mandatory as sanctioned by the government. We are within our rights to refuse entrance to anybody who doesn’t comply.

Whilst you have already agreed to us collecting your data when booking your tickets online or in person, scanning the QR code is the fastest way of knowing when you’re at risk from coronavirus. For more information go to www.nhs.uk.