COVID-19 FAQ's

Covid-19 Update - 30 September 2022

Do I need an NHS Covid Pass or a Lateral Flow Test to come to the cinema or theatre? 

No, from Friday 18 February, in line with the updated Welsh Government legislation, you are no longer required to present an NHS Covid Pass when seeing a film or theatre performance. 

Do I still need to wear a Facemask?

No, from Monday 28 February 2022, in line with the Welsh Government directives, we will no longer ask that audiences wear a mask when visiting the Torch. The wearing of face coverings is now at the discretion of audience members and we encourage anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask to do so.

We will continue to ask that all frontline staff and volunteers wear a mask when dealing with the public (with the exception of staff working behind a barrier – i.e. box office staff behind Perspex). This will be reviewed at the end of March.

What are your opening hours?

Our Box Office is open from 11am Tuesday to Saturday until the start of the last show or film screening of the day, and an hour before the first show/film screening on a Sunday. 

What is the Torch doing to protect the safety of its customers?

The safety of our patrons, our staff and our volunteers remains the first priority for the theatre. Operational staff members are closely monitoring the latest Government guidance whilst working with our fellow industry peers in providing relevant information about our plans to be a Covid-19 secure venue.

There are hand sanitising stations throughout the building and as you walk through the doors to the Box Office.

We have a number of safety measures in place in order to ensure that the Torch is Covid-19 safe, and we are of course following, and indeed going above and beyond the latest Welsh Government Performing Arts guidelines. 

Additional measures adopted by the Torch include:

We are encouraging all customers to use e-tickets or print at home tickets ahead of time (this will mean reduced times queuing in our foyer). Please book your tickets online: if you need to book more than four tickets, have any accessibility requirements or general queries, please speak to one of our Box Office team, who will be happy to help you, by calling 01646 695267. The Torch will also be trialling contactless ticket checking to reduce queues and reduce contact.

To keep you safe we have enhanced our cleaning procedures throughout the building.  

What capacity can the Torch operate at currently under Government guidance?

From 1 February 2022 we have been operating at full seating capacity in both auditoria in line with Welsh Government guidance. Some film screenings and theatre performances will operate socially distanced. 

It is acknowledged that disabled people are more vulnerable to coronavirus. What has the Torch done and/or will do to make sure that disabled people like me (including staff, volunteers and customers) have been considered and can feel safe returning to the building?In addition to those measures mentioned above (which have been designed particularly with the safety of those more vulnerable to Covid-19 in mind), we have allocated seats and wheelchair spaces in both auditoria that are available to book for those with a disability. These seats and wheelchairs spaces must be booked through our Box Office in advance by calling 01646 695267. These seats cannot be purchased online.

We continue to talk to and follow the latest guidance from Disability Welsh Government, Arts Council Wales, Disability Arts Cymru and access support groups including HYNT for further advice on how we can safely welcome disabled and more vulnerable patrons back to the theatre. 

For further information, please visit the following websites:

HYNT https://www.hynt.co.uk/en/

Disability Arts Cymru https://www.disabilityartscymru.co.uk

Arts Wales https://arts.wales

Mind Pembrokeshire https://www.mindpembrokeshire.org.uk

Health in Wales https://www.wales.nhs.uk/

(The Torch Theatre is not responsible for any content on the above websites)

What happens if I have purchased a ticket for an event and cannot attend due to Covid-19?

Please let our Box Office know as soon as you can or up to 24 hours before the show time by calling 01646 695267.

We will be very happy to offer you credit to the value of your tickets or transfer you to another show at a later date. The tickets must be of the same value and any extra differences in value must be paid for. We will be unable to issue refunds for your tickets.

Should the Torch Theatre cancel a show for any reason including Covid-19 related matters, we will issue a refund to ticket holders.  

Will Café Torch re-open?

Café Torch has reopened for theatre performances and broadcast screenings per as part of a phased return. Due to capacity, we will be starting with a reduced number of tables, which we hope to build up over the course of the year. Table bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis and all orders must be booked in advance, Unfortunately, we are unable to take walk-ins at this time. 

We have also refurbished the kiosk in the Box Office area, expanding its capacity, and this will be available to purchase alcoholic drinks, hot and cold drinks and a range of snacks and sweets. Please use contactless card payments wherever possible.

What can I do to help?

Please be patient with us and follow our Covid-19 guidelines as best as you can. We want you to feel safe in the building, we also want to make sure our staff, volunteers and artists are at as little risk as possible, so you can have a brilliant time here when you visit us.

The Torch Theatre is a not-for-profit registered charity; if you can support us, however big or small, please consider making a donation here: https://www.torchtheatre.co.uk/support-the-torch

Please also consider lobbying your local MP by writing to them to tell them how much the Torch Theatre and the arts mean to you, especially in this part of Pembrokeshire.

If you do need to get in contact with us, please email boxoffice@torchtheatre.co.uk