The O2 Goes for Gold!
The O2 awarded Gold Status on Access CharterThursday 6th December, London:- The O2 continues to set the standard on music venue access across the UK after becoming the first venue to be awarded Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice Gold Status for its commitment to giving Deaf and disabled customers the best gig-going experience possible.In joining The Sage in Gateshead as the only Gold status holders, The O2 excelled in a range of categories that include improving access to emergency evacuation, Infra Red sound systems, creating a Changing Places Toilet for The O2 Arena and providing a fully accessible dressing room back stage. The venue has also constructed a permanent viewing platform provision in IndigO2 and introduced Disability Equality Training for staff.The O2 have further ensured that attractions at the venue are fully accessible including the ‘British Music Experience’ and the new roof climb ‘Up at The O2’, which offers fully developed wheelchair accessible tours. The O2’s own access consultative forum, Triple AAA Forum (All Access Advisory) has been instrumental in working with AEG to provide continuous improvements in terms of design and operations for The O2 arena since 2008.Says Suzanne Bull, Chief Executive Officer of Attitude is Everything: “It is fabulous that The O2 have gone in at Gold Level because it shows what can be achieved when Best Practice is implemented from security and box office, all the way to Senior Management Level. It is also important for us because we now have an venue at Gold level which we can use as an example to assist other arenas when they are improving access.”Rebecca Kane, General Manager of The O2, commented: “We are delighted to have been recognised with a Gold Status from Attitude is Everything. The O2 prides itself on bringing the very best live music and events to London for everyone to enjoy and we have worked hard to ensure that all of our shows at the venue and new attractions, such as ‘Up at The O2’, meet the standards our guests have come to expect.”Exclaimed Blaine Harrison from Mystery Jets: “I am proud to be a patron of Attitude is Everything because its Charter of Best Practice is a fantastic way of gauging AEG’s progress on improving Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music. I am particularly delighted to hear about The O2 in London because it is a magnificent gig to attend, a dream to play and without a doubt a great example for the many others to follow in the footsteps of. The state of the record industry is well publicised, but the great fall in album sales has only reinforced the importance of live shows. Seeing music performed in person is where it comes alive, because we witness the magic at its source. I think everyone should be afforded that opportunity. Don't you?”
Attitude is Everything improves Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry to implement a Charter of Best Practice across the UK. Having worked with live industry leaders such as Academy Music Group, Glastonbury Festival, MAMA Group, AEG, Wembley Arena and Ticketmaster, Attitude is Everything is fast becoming the UK authority on access to music venues. About AEG, The O2 and O2AEG owns, operates or consults with 100 of the industry’s pre-eminent venues worldwide, across five continents, and works in concert with affiliated AEG entities, including live event producer, AEG Live, AEG Global Partnerships and AEG Development to support the success of AEG venues across the globe.The O2 is the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue. In 2011 The O2 welcomed over 8.5 million visitors sold a record-breaking 1,927,600 tickets for shows and events, smashing the 2010 figure which itself was a staggering 1,737,654Telefónica UK Limited is a leading communications company for consumers and businesses in the UK, with 23 million mobile, fixed line and broadband customers as at 31 December 2011.Telefónica UK Limited is part of Telefónica Europe plc, a business division of Telefónica S.A. which uses O2 as its commercial brand in the UK, Ireland, Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic, and has 58.1 million customers across these markets.Telefónica UK launched its sustainability plan for people and planet in February 2012. The company has announced that over the next three years, it intends to help one million young people develop new life skills and save 4 million tonnes of carbon emissions. See www.o2.co.uk/thinkbig/blueprintO2 is the naming rights partner of The O2, the world-class entertainment venue.O2’s UK 2G mobile network provides voice and data services which are available to 99% of the UK’s population.O2’s UK 3G (HSPA+ 900 / 2100 MHz) network currently provides voice and high speed data services to over 84% of the UK population at speeds of up to 14.4Mbp and 21Mbps in major cities.O2 was the first UK operator to deploy a 4G/LTE trial network which has demonstrated peak speeds of over 100Mbps to a mobile device.Telefónica Europe also owns 50% of Tesco Mobile, which operates in the UK and Ireland, and 50% of Tchibo Mobilfunk in Germany.