Ipswich disabled parking being closed for touring acts

Ricky Blair - who has been blind since birth and has a hearing impairment - said Ipswich Borough Council’s choice to suspend accessible spaces outside the Corn Exchange to make way for touring acts' support vehicles is causing him huge disruption and affecting his ability to attend performances.

In a response to MP Patrick Spencer, the council apologised for the disruption but argued the spaces had to be used to attract the best possible talent to the town.

Ricky Blair, who has been blind from birth, is now being denied his theatre passion over the parking issue (Image: Contributed)

Mr Blair said: "It’s hugely disruptive because finding somewhere to park in the area can be very difficult and depending on where I’ve got to park, the paths can be extremely uneven and narrow.

"I have no sight at all, and I have a hearing problem.

"I was due for another show a couple of weeks later, and I missed that show because there was nowhere to park and I couldn’t walk."

He said he has started booking equivalent shows at venues further afield, including in Bury St Edmunds and Colchester.

Mr Blair said: "I love going to the theatre, I probably keep it going and now they’re losing money as a result.

Disabled parking outside the Corn Exchange and Regent Theatre has been suspended to allow touring acts to park (Image: Lucy Taylor)

"If my support worker - who drives me anywhere I need to go - has to leave me to go park the car, I am incredibly vulnerable."

Following an inquiry by his MP Patrick Spencer, Ipswich Borough Council issued an apology to Mr Blair.

A spokesman said: "We are very sorry for the inconvenience and frustration this has caused.

"In order to facilitate the highest standard of shows at the Corn Exchange, we are required at times to ensure that the support vehicles for the performance are located outside of the venue.

MP Patrick Spencer wrote to Ipswich Borough Council to ask for their reasons why they suspended disabled parking (Image: Contributed)

"Given its town centre location this requires us to suspend the loading and accessible bays outside the venue.

"We endeavour to keep this to a minimum when we are able and keep the accessible bays clear in particular."