Plans to improve accessibility at Aberdeen’s newly transformed Music Hall have been backed by Dame Anne Begg.
The historic city centre venue has been undergoing extensive renovation work, which will secure the future of the Music Hall as a continuing cultural focal point at the heart of the city.
Upgrades to the Category A listed building include a new access ramp, a state-of-the-art sesame lift and new lift access to the balcony, meaning that for the first time, the venue will have street to seat access for all.
Aberdeen Performing Arts, the charity behind the Music Hall project, has launched an innovative gifting scheme inviting members of the public to sponsor an item of their choosing in the newly renovated venue.
Project Stepping In invites people to explore the new digital blueprint for the building, with the option to digitally select and contribute towards the new furnishings that will find their home in the venue for years to come.
Dame Anne Begg has contributed £500 towards the cost of a brand new, granite-clad entrance ramp at the entrance to the building.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive, Jane Spiers said: “Dame Anne’s advice and expertise along the way has been invaluable and her generous donation towards the new entrance ramp is greatly appreciated.
“Right from the beginning, we’ve been determined to tackle barriers to access, to make sure that the Music Hall is welcome and inclusive for all.
“It was really important to us to make sure that everyone, including people with restricted mobility could share the experience of coming in to the Music Hall through our main entrance.”
Dame Anne Begg said: "I am delighted to contribute in a small way towards the refurbishment of the Music Hall and particularly towards making the whole building wheelchair accessible for the first time in its history.
"There is to be a very imaginative solution to providing wheelchair access through the front door, something which has never been possible before. I am also particularly looking forward to sitting in the balcony for the first time and experiencing the Music Hall’s famous acoustic at its best.
"This is an exciting time for the Music Hall. Aberdeen Performing Arts have risen to the challenge of turning a 200 year old building into one fit for the 21st century and making it accessible for everyone regardless of their disability."
There are more than 150 items available to sponsor as part of Project Stepping In, ranging from £10 to £25,000, including light switches, eco-friendly lighting, and chairs for the new cafe.
As well as this, there’s a new glass feature wall and interactive digital touch screen. These are just some of the new fixtures and finishes that have been placed on sale within an interactive floor plan of the new Music Hall.
The Project Stepping In website can be viewed at projectsteppingin.com.