Old Fire Station, Oxford
About The Old Fire Station
The Old Fire Station is a public multi-form arts centre in the centre of Oxford centre that presents new work across art forms. They also help local early to mid-career artists from all disciplines to make and showcase their work, meet each other, and to share ideas.
But the Old Fire Station isn’t just an arts centre. They share their building with the charity Crisis, and together they aim to help end homelessness in Oxford. They help homeless people become more resilient and stable by:
- Offering training and volunteering opportunities to Crisis clients, who can learn a wide variety of skills in front-of-house, in the shop and backstage.
- Providing opportunities for Crisis clients to create and show work with professional artists, from gallery exhibitions such as 2016’s ShedSpace, to the ongoing theatre project Hidden Spire.
- Enabling Crisis members to see shows and learn about the exhibitions in our gallery.
Members of the public come to the Old Fire Station to drink coffee, buy art, attend dance classes or watch a show. Homeless people come to learn, gain skills and get support. Artists and students come to rehearse, create and showcase. Local residents and businesses too have access to spaces they can use for their own events. Everyone comes through the same door and find themselves sharing space and overlapping interests.
Please visit the Old Fire Station website for a full schedule of events.
Parking & access
Parking
The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street. And there are several Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.
If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.
Access
Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.
There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station. One at 40 George Street via the foyer, and the other on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, consider using use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.
Events in the Theatre
There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).
If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact the venue (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk), and they will talk with you about your needs.
Events in the Studio
There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station and step-free access to the Studio.
Events in the Loft
There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, do get in touch with the venue.
The Gallery
There is step-free access to the Gallery. Level entry through the George Street entrance and via a lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.
Facilities
Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).
Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please email the venue at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.
Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let the venue know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.
Strobe lighting
The organisers will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.
Chairs in the Theatre
The chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk to discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.
Baby changing
There are unisex baby changing facilities available at the Old Fire Station.
Food & drink
Café
There is a café at the Old Fire Station that serves hot drinks, cakes, snacks and juice boxes, plus delicious Middle-Eastern food for lunch made by Damascus Rose Kitchen, a social enterprise which supports Syrian and Arabic-speaking refugee women.
The café opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 4.00pm.
The Bar
After 6.00pm on show nights, the café becomes a bar in which you can buy drinks (boozy or soft) and snacks before the performance, and during the interval.
What’s on at Old Fire Station, Oxford
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