Opening Soon: Help Design Access at The Generator

Step inside The Generator before it opens. After years of planning and development, The Generator is about to open its doors as Loughborough’s newest cultural venue. Before the public arrives, All-In Leicester is inviting access reviewers to explore the space and help shape how accessible and welcoming it will be for future visitors. This is a rare chance to experience a major new cultural space ahead of opening and to ensure disabled and neurodivergent perspectives help inform how the venue works from day one.

The Generator will soon become a new home for creativity in Loughborough, hosting exhibitions, live music, workshops, performances and community events. Before opening to the public, All-In Leicester will host an access review of the building and visitor experience. During the session, participants will explore the venue together and share feedback on how accessible and inclusive it feels.

We’ll look at things like:
- Arrival and entrance to the building
- Wayfinding and signage
- Layout and seating within spaces
- Lighting, sound and sensory environment
- Toilets and facilities
- Information and communication

Your feedback will directly influence how the venue develops its access practices as it prepares to welcome audiences.

No technical experience is needed — just your perspective and lived experience.

The Generator is a new community-led arts venue in the heart of Loughborough, created as a home for creativity, connection and collaboration.

The building itself has an extraordinary story. Originally established in 1921 as Britain’s first educational power station, it used equipment salvaged from First World War submarines to power hands-on training for students at Loughborough College. Over the decades the building has evolved — from power station to art school — before being reimagined once again as a vibrant arts and cultural venue.

Now, after years of redevelopment, The Generator is preparing to open its doors as a place for exhibitions, performances, workshops and creative activity.

📍 Venue: The Generator, Packe Street, Loughborough, LE11 3BJ
🗓 Date: Tuesday 21 April

Two sessions are available:

Session 1 (without BSL):
2:45–4:30 PM
(Arrive from 2:45 PM for refreshments; session begins at 3:00 PM)

Session 2 (with BSL):
4:45–6:30 PM
(Arrive from 4:45 PM for refreshments; session begins at 5:00 PM)

Each session lasts around 90 minutes.

• BSL interpretation: Provided for the second session only (4:45–6:30 PM).
• Refreshments: Provided 15 minutes before each session.
• Accessible taxis: Available for participants who need them; travel costs can be covered.
• Accessible toilets: Available on site.
• Parking: Blue Badge parking is available directly outside the building entrance. Pay-and-display parking can be found nearby on Packe Street.
• Please let us know of any additional access needs or travel requirements when booking — we ask for at least one week’s notice where possible so we can make arrangements.

This session is open to All-In members and access reviewers with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence, or other access barriers. No technical experience is needed — just your feedback and perspective on accessibility.

Please register for one session only. Places are limited to ensure everyone can test the interactive and give feedback.

All-In Leicester works with cultural venues across the city to improve access and inclusion. Our access reviews bring together people with lived experience and venue teams to shape design decisions that make a real difference. If you’d like to join All-In or keep up to date with future reviews and events, you can sign up at allinleicester.org.uk or contact .

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