The Engine Shed — Local services in Lincoln

I don't like visiting the Engine Shed.

It's the only event space I go to where after spending the best part of 3 hours sitting down on their chairs for a seated event, I feel like I need a sit down. Had a proper backache after the comedy gig I attended on Sunday evening.

The bar on Sunday was incredibly slow, meaning we almost didn't manage to get a drink in the 25 minute interval despite queueing up from the start of the interval. One of the security guys was walking up and down the queues of people barking how many minutes until the bar closed as if it was our fault the service was slow. Some people were unable to get a drink due to time.

The reusable plastic cups they serve in hold on to smells so they don't feel clean, and they're covered in scratches too. I do like the addition of the bins where you can deposit the reusable cups but seemingly nobody else used them.

I find the toilets inside the venue very confusing. Admittedly this is a me problem because they catch me out every time, but I don't understand the point of the weird handwashing room when there could be sinks in the separate bathrooms.

For seated events, you really don't have a lot of space. They like to pack you in tightly. On my last visit the cloakroom wasn't open, so lots of people were trying to hold onto puffy coats and things that there was no room for (I don't really want to put my stuff on the floor because I've seen what goes on at Quack). It also takes forever to get out after a seated gig because there is one exit door and no traffic control.

The acoustics of the venue are fine for live music and stage shows (I'm not an audiophile or...

I couldn’t have asked to be looked after any better following a recent partial knee replacement (& needing to use two crutches) I emailed beforehand asking for a bit of help at the venue on Friday 12th September. I liaised with Nancy by email, who was really helpful She put me on the accessibility list and explained how it works. I arrived at 7pm and went to the front of the queue. As soon as I’d told one of the staff my name she immediately took me through to the security check. She told me she would then take me as far as the security guard and he would show me to my seat. I’m slow on my crutches and she walked with me and chatted until we got to the security guard. She might not have thought it was anything but having done public facing jobs I believe you cannot teach emotional intelligence and she made me feel seen and normal. When we arrived at the security guard he met me with a big smile. He also walked with me and we chatted and laughed until I got to my seat. The lady also filled my water bottle and bought it to me at my seat. I honestly felt like nothing would have been too much trouble. I was on two crutches last year and this experience at The Engine Shed was the total antithesis of my ‘experience’ of a private ticketed event somewhere else then. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the empathy and kindness shown by every member of staff...

I'm disabled. I arrived in good time (7.15) and expected to be ushered through. Instead I was left to my own devices outside. This was fine as I saw some friends there. No one thought to let us know the concert had started (9 ish) so I just went in with my carer. There was no one to help and we didn't know where to go. Eventually we were shown to a lift that took us to a balcony. It was packed and there was no indication or help to get us through. My carer went to find some help leaving me amongst the crowd. I found this pretty distressing. Eventually a member of staff made way for my wheelchair moving others from their chairs. It was embarrassing and a little humiliating. I felt I was sitting amongst people who resented me being there. It was just uncomfortable. When the band came on the sound quality was really bad. This was partially because the people on the balcony were very noisy but mainly because the sound system didn't manage to project clearly to the back of the venue. I will go again, but next time I'm going to the main floor and surround myself...