Having pointed out some of the worst offenders, time then to heap praise on those who get it right. Step forward please:

* Gala Theatre and Cinema complex, Durham
This modern (opened about 12 years ago) and is fully accessible. And I do mean FULLY accessible. Entrance is level, from a flat, level concourse (surrounded by accessible restaurants and bars) with accessible parking nearby. in fact, the whole of Durham City has undergone a makeover (at pavement level) where kerbs have been removed - no more hunting for ramps (Halleluyah!) - you can cross the street without feeling a bump (as long as you take care one of the few cars/lorries allowed into the City aren't about). Once in the theatre, there are lowered counters at the booking office and bar. The auditorium entrances are step free and entirely level as far as the wheelchair seating areas. And then - praise heaped upon praise - wheelchair spaces are interspersed among normal seats as far in as about a third of the rows. You companion can sit right next to you, people behind aren't blocked and ALL accessible places enjoy an excellent and full view of the entire stage. There are wheelchair accessible spaces on all floors - even the "gods" and a spacious lift to take you between floors.

* The Sage Gateshead (music concert venue)b

I admit it - one of my favourite venues for a host of reasons. The Sage just gets it "right". ALL areas of the building are accessible even if access to some of the inner bowels of the building involve finding the one, true lift that can access that floor, though I must emphasise that won't affect you as a normal public visitor and, hey, even those of us who need to visit the bowels CAN do so. Spacious lifts take you from the concourse level to the concert hall seating levels where access right to your seat/space is level. Wheelchair seating in the main (stalls) level is in boxes at the sides of the hall but elevated so the whole stage (whether you are going to see Hugh Laurie as I am in a couple of weeks or Carmina Burana with full orchestra and massed choirs) is clearly visible and, equally important for a concert venue, enjoys good, clear sound too. When you book an accessible space (on the normal booking phone line, note) you will be asked whether you wish to stay in your wheelchair or transfer to a standard seat. If you stay in your own chair, prior to your arrival a standard seat will have been whipped out of its floor mount, leaving a level space more than adequate to manoeuvre your chair into place. if you decide to transfer, the standard seats at the side of the auditorium swivel so no fear of spending the night with twisted body or neck while you watch and listen. The venue attracts artists of international repute, is a music teaching and learning centre and hosts many "minority interest" musical genres - yet still manages to pack the halls for nearly all. AND they get disabled access right.