Disabled fans
ANOTHER CUSTOMER FEELS LET DOWN BY ARENA TICKETING SYSTEM
can’t the Arena open their box office on a Sunday for the same hours that they’re open on a Saturday?
“At least this would give me and my partner a fighting chance to get tickets and if they were sold out at the box office by the time we arrived, then so be it.
“I am not unreasonable or feel I should have preferential treatment to others. I just want to have the same opportunity as the rest of the public when it comes to purchasing tickets from the Arena.
“Disabled people have specific needs when attending venues and I feel these needs are not being met, which ultimately means being discriminated against. I want people to be aware of what is happening and how disabled people are being treated.”
The Chronicle contacted the Arena for a comment and they called Claire within hours with good news.
A spokeswoman said: “The Peter Kay on sale on Sunday morning saw phenomenal demand for tickets across the entire UK.
“The sheer demand for tickets meant all means of purchasing tickets were exceptionally busy with additional dates being added instantly to accommodate fans.
“The Metro Radio Arena offers a dedicated phone line for our accessible customers as well as an email address which many customers have successfully used to secure tickets for this sold out event.
“On speaking with our box office the customer you have brought to our attention has purchased her tickets and we look forward to welcoming Peter Kay back to the North East.”
The row over disabled access has prompted Chronicle readers to comment on our Facebook page.
John Henderson said: “Typical Metro Arena –not in the least sympathetic.”
MrT1971 added: “Shame on the venue for not making it more accessible to all.”
But Ben Lowery disagreed. He said: “How exactly are they discriminating against the disabled?
“Even if they could book via the website they would have no doubt experienced the same old supply and demand issues that everyone else does.
“It also doesn’t help that the Metro Radio Arena is such an awful venue, it really needs to be demolished and a bigger, far more suitable venue built in its place.”
And Mickey wasn’t a fan of Peter Kay at all, saying ‘watch the chess championships. Its a lot cheaper and probably a lot more fun.’