Factory International

Frequently Asked Questions

Coming to see us? Here’s what you need to know about visiting Aviva Studios, from how to get here and what you can bring to buying tickets. If you've still got questions, email us on tickets@factoryinternational.org – we’re a friendly bunch.

Visiting

The full address of the venue is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ and what3words is chop.feeds.chase.

Find full travel information here: https://factoryinternational.org/visit/

At certain events, bag sizes may be restricted for safety and/or logistical reasons. We’ll let ticket holders know in advance.

During events, bag checks will be carried out by our specially trained safety team.

Skateboards and scooters are not permitted inside the venue. However, our public space is for everyone to enjoy (including skateboarders and people on scooters) - we just ask that you’re mindful of others when using our outdoor space, particularly people with access needs.

Some events may specify age restrictions. These will be communicated clearly in advance.

Under 14s visiting Aviva Studios must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+.

Our bars operate ‘Challenge 25’ – if you are over 18 but look younger than 25 and wish to buy alcohol, you will be asked to provide ID.

Acceptable forms of ID include a valid passport, photo driving license or proof of age card (such as the PASS card from the national Proof of Age Standards Scheme).

In short, if you're visiting our building you're welcome to take photographs and videos of yourself, your family and friends in our spaces.

Any photographs must be for personal use only, using hand-held cameras and phones. Additional equipment such as tripods, gimbals and lighting is not permitted across the building.

There may be certain exhibitions or shows where photography is not allowed, and this will be clearly stated in the space. In spaces where photography is allowed, please do not touch artworks, objects or cases while taking photographs or filming.

You can read our full policy here.

Please note that we are unable to take cash payments at our retail or ticketing units currently. We appreciate that this may be an access barrier for some people, and we intend to start taking cash payments as soon as practically possible in the building. Thank you for your patience on this.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed within the venue at any time, including under our covered areas outside. There is a smoking area near our Riverside entrance by Liverpool Road where you'll find wall-mounted ashtrays.

There is no parking on site at Aviva Studios. Please view the Getting Here information for details of how to travel by bus, train or metro as well as the closest city-centre car parks.

Access

Assistance dogs are very welcome. We can provide mats and water bowls on request and can take care of assistance dogs if you are unable to take them into your event.

If you are bringing an assistance dog to a ticketed event, please let us know in advance by emailing access@factoryinternational.org.

We offer relaxed performances or sessions across out programme of produced work – the format of this varies, but usually includes adjusted sound and lighting levels, adjusted special effects, and a relaxing of the ‘rules’ of coming to an event, so people are welcome to wriggle, move, stim, or respond in any way that is natural for them. At some relaxed performances we have a smaller audience capacity too. We create What To Expect Guides for our shows, which tell you what to expect in advance. You can find these to download on the event page, and there will be copies available in the building when you arrive for the show. If you would like more information about what to expect at a particular event, or when visiting Aviva Studios in general, you can call 0161 817 4531 (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm) or email access@factoryinternational.org and we’ll be happy to talk it through.

We will soon have a dedicated quiet space in the building, but it’s not quite ready yet. In the meantime, our Hosts will be able to help you find spaces to take a break or step out of a show if you need to

You can also check out our access performance page for a list of relaxed sessions. Ear defenders are also available to borrow should you need them.

We have wheelchair spaces in various locations in the Hall and Warehouse. If you wish to transfer from your own wheelchair into a seat for your event, our Front of House staff can store your wheelchair for you during the performance.

We have a small number of wheelchairs available to borrow in the building. Please ask a member of the Front of House staff on arrival.

You are welcome to bring and use medication as needed at our building. If you are have any questions or concerns about this, please contact access@factoryinternational.org or call us on 0161 817 4531. Our phone lines are open 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

If you need to bring medically-prescribed cannabis into the venue, please get in touch with access@factoryinternational.org or call 0161 817 4531 (10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday) so that we can make appropriate arrangements to meet your needs.

Safety and security

Our safety team are here to provide you with a safe and comfortable environment, helping you make the most of our building, outside space and events.

Bag checks will be in place during events and carried out by our specially trained safety team. Any further safety information will be communicated with your ticket.

During the day, under 14s visiting Aviva Studios must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, anything illegal (including weapons and drugs*), glass, tools, fireworks, laser pens, bladed articles including (scissors and knives), air horns, alcohol, flag poles, banners, radios, cans, cable ties, glue, spray paint and any other items that the venue management deem unsafe or a danger to other visitors, or anything that could disrupt the performance or event.

*If you need to bring medically-prescribed cannabis into the venue, please get in touch with access@factoryinternational.org or call 0161 817 4531 (10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday) so that we can make appropriate arrangements to meet your needs.

Families and Faith

We have baby changing and toilets on site – including accessible toilets. 

You are welcome to breastfeed in the Social – our groundfloor café and bar area.

We don't have a dedicated buggy or pram park but should you need a space, you can ask a member of our Front of House team for the best place to park up.

We are in the process of creating a dedicated prayer room. In the meantime, a member of our Front of House team can help you find a quiet space for worship if you require one.

Yes, all of our non-pork meat products are Halal. You can look at our menus on our Food and Drink page: Food and Drink

Tickets

Each event is priced differently with a wide range of ticket prices available.

We want everyone to enjoy our events, so look out for many low-priced and free events throughout the year. Our affordable ticket offer includes:

  • Aviva £10 Tickets. There are £10 tickets for those who might need them across all our own shows and events, supported by Aviva
  • Concessions. Students, over 65s, and people on low incomes get up to 50% discount across all our own shows.

We also offer discounts for disabled people, and can provide a Personal Assistant ticket free of charge if you require one.

For more information on our affordable ticket policy, please see here: Affordable Tickets

Please see the individual event listings for ticket prices here: What's On

The easiest way to book tickets is online. Visit https://factoryinternational.org/ and select the relevant show and date.

If you wish to book over the phone, please call 0333 322 8679. Phone lines are open Monday to Saturday, 10am–6pm.

Please note all bookings incur a £2.50 per transaction fee.

If you experience any problems with our booking system, or need extra information on access requirements or performance details, we’re here to help. Just email tickets@factoryinternational.org.

A non-refundable per ticket commission of £1.50 or £2.50 per ticket applies to all bookings over the phone and online.

This does not apply when booking for free ticketed shows of on our Aviva £10 Tickets.

Please be aware that there are additional, often higher, booking fees when booking directly from other approved agents.

When you book tickets you will receive an email confirmation. A follow-up email with your tickets attached as a .pdf document will arrive up 48 hours before the event. This is your e-ticket – please bring it with you to gain entry to the performance. In line with our sustainability policy, there is no need to print anything out!

Please note, all tickets are e-tickets.

If you can't find your confirmation e-mail and have checked your spam and junk folders, you can access your tickets by logging into your online account and selecting the ‘e-tickets’ tab. You can download your tickets to your device by selecting ‘download’.

To access your online account, please click the person icon on the top right corner of the webpage. If your tickets are not displaying in your online account, please contact the ticketing team at tickets@factoryinternational.org.

If you have any difficulties accessing your tickets on the day of the event, please speak to a member of the Factory International ticketing team at the venue.

Please check your event webpage for confirmed entry times: https://factoryinternational.org/whats-on/. You will receive a pre-event email confirming this information closer to the event date.

For timed entry events, please arrive no more than five minutes before your allocated time slot or performance start time. For paid ticketed events, doors open approximately 60–90 minutes before the event start time.

Our latecomer policy varies by event – please see individual event webpages for more details. You may be asked to wait for a suitable break before being admitted. We cannot guarantee admission to latecomers.

Please check your event webpage for the address of the venue and travel information.

For directions to Aviva Studios, see our general information here: Getting to Aviva Studios.

Please be sure to check the event timings as latecomers cannot be guaranteed entry.

Any remaining tickets will be on sale at the venue Ticketing Hub approximately 30– 60 minutes before the scheduled start time (card transactions only). We strongly advise purchasing tickets in advance as events may sell out.

All tickets are sold as non-refundable. Please check you can attend before making a purchase. For a full list of terms and conditions, please visit https://factoryinternational.org/policies/terms-conditions/

Tickets are sold as non-exchangeable but if you need to contact the ticketing team, please email tickets@factoryinternational.org

Access information can be found here: https://factoryinternational.org/visit/access/

If you wish to speak to our Access Team please call 0161 817 4531 (10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday) or email access@factoryinternational.org.

We usually include information about suitability for babies and babes in arms tickets on our show event pages but if you are unsure, please email tickets@factoryinternational.org before purchasing your tickets.

Log in to your Factory International account at https://factoryinternational.org/my-account/ using your previous login details. Then update the information in the details section, confirm and save.

Don’t worry, you can request a new password by selecting ‘Forgotten your password? Reset here’ from the ‘My Account’ page here: https://factoryinternational.org/my-account/

If you have any further ticketing related questions please email tickets@factoryinternational.org

Memberships

Simply visit our Become a Member page, click Join Now and a Membership will be added to your basket. At checkout, you'll be prompted to make an account. Complete the purchase and you're good to go!

Factory International Membership is open to everyone aged 18 or over. Factory International Membership is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Check your Membership card for your expiry date.

Ready for another year of experiencing the extraordinary? We'll send you a reminder email when your renewal date is coming up with all the information you need.

To renew, simply click Join Now on our Become a Member page which will add Membership to your basket. Make sure you're logged in to your account, complete your purchase, and our system will recognise that it is a renewal.

Any issues, contact membership@factoryinternational.org

Priority booking gives you access to tickets for all Factory International shows and events 48 hours before general release. Priority booking does not guarantee tickets to every performance and orders are limited to four tickets per live event.

To access priority booking on our website, just make sure you're logged in to your online account and you'll automatically have early access to the booking page.

If you need any help logging in to your account or booking tickets, get in touch with our ticketing team by emailing tickets@factoryinternational.org

Log in to your online account here with the email you signed up to your Membership with.

If you've forgotten your password, click Reset here and a reset link will be sent to your email address.

Any issues logging in, contact tickets@factoryinternational.org

Members get 10% off all food and drinks in the Social and any purchases from our shop. 

Keep an eye out for info on all exclusive discounts and offers in your Members e-newsletter.

Our gift membership option is coming very soon - keep an eye out!

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