Concerns raised over accessible ticket availability in pre-sales

Calls are being made for concert venues to ensure accessible tickets are part of pre-sale offerings, following difficulties encountered by Gary Barlow fans attempting to secure early access to performances. Jennifer Gallacher, residing in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, sought to purchase tickets for the Take That performer’s show at the Stockton Globe, only to discover that accessible seating options were not initially available. ATG Entertainment, the proprietor of the theatre, attributed this issue to a “technical error” that hindered the purchase of these specific tickets. However, Ms Gallacher commented: “It’s just not good enough. If you’re going to have a pre-sale, have a pre-sale for everybody.” She further stated that individuals requiring accessibility accommodations are “already at a disadvantage anyway, because the numbers [of tickets] are so small compared to general seating”. She added: “Don’t have us at a further disadvantage, it’s just not acceptable.” Ms Gallacher also clarified that she did not believe the venue was at fault and described the Stockton Globe as “very accessible”. Her attempt to purchase tickets occurred online via gigsandtours.com. SJM Concerts, the operator of the website, indicated that the “majority of venues manage and book their own accessible tickets” and noted its understanding that the Stockton Globe “was working internally” to prevent a recurrence of the issue. ATG Entertainment explained that when pre-sale tickets are offered via an alternative agent, accessible seating tickets are simultaneously made available through its Access Booking Line. A technical issue resulted in these tickets not being immediately accessible during the Barlow pre-sale, though staff members subsequently reached out to affected individuals. “The agent who had originally spoken with Jennifer called her back within the hour and was able to process accessible tickets for her,” the company stated. It added: “We will continue to investigate this matter to ensure that the technical error doesn’t happen again and we are glad that Jennifer was able to purchase tickets in the end.”