Bishop Auckland Christmas Town Access Denied:

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Bridge Creative 

Baccanalia 


Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town Access Denied:


This event is completely inaccessible for me as a disabled woman — all because they don’t offer a pass I can actually use. I just wanted to ride the Ferris wheel, but they’re charging £22 a ticket… which means £44 for me and my carer. How is that fair? Honestly, wtf.

Disabled people shouldn’t have to pay double just to experience the exact same thing as everyone else. They need smaller, flexible passes for those of us who only want access to specific rides.

I’ve contacted them by email and by phone, and still no response. No support. No assistance. Nothing.

We deserve better.

Accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought.


UPDATE:

They have responded this morning, however still no passes for myself are accessible, and just one free PA pass for my carer. (Fees for additional carer passes).

I don't understand why I have to pay so much for access to one Ferris wheel.

Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town — it’s still £22 just to ride a Ferris wheel. I’d genuinely rather take a foldable chair and queue for the free one at Stockton, provided by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council .

I contacted you via your webform long before this, then phoned, and eventually had no choice but to email directly late last night as a LAST resort.

And still, disabled people are being made to jump through hoops just to prove our disabilities for an access pass.

This is not #accessibility.

Two years ago, I helped support improvements — including the introduction of the access pass for queue adjustments — so I’m struggling to understand why you won’t hire or consult someone with two decades of lived and professional experience across learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and access needs.

I can help make this inclusive for everyone. 

And for the record, using disabled volunteers as unpaid labour isn’t the “flex” people think it is — it’s exploitation. Disabled people already face a significant wage gap.

You have also BLOCKED me from your Facebook page which is abuse and control and not inclusion. I will now have to file a formal complaint - this is avoidance not resolution. (They have since unblocked me.)

Sarah Wingfield

Independent Disability Advocate

#disabilityinclusion #strongertogether #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityrights


Alt text:

A festive poster for Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town. At the top, there is an image of Santa Claus and Christmas lights with the text “A World of Wonder Awaits You.” Below, a red ribbon banner reads “Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town.” The event runs from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th December 2025 at Bishop Auckland Market Place (DL14 7PB). The poster shows Christmas market stalls decorated with lights and ornaments. Listed attractions include: Christmas markets, a giant tipi bar, ice rink, fairground, Santa’s grotto, live entertainment, and winter attractions. At the bottom are logos for Baccanalia, Bridge Creative, Bishop Auckland Town Council, and a QR code, along with the website: www.bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk.





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