IKEA Gateshead has become the latest of the brand’s stores to install a Changing Places toilet, supplied and installed by Closomat, as part of the chain’s ongoing ambition to be accessible to all.
IKEA is currently the only major home furnishings retailer in the UK to commit to providing Changing Places toilets in all new stores, whilst upgrading facilities in selected existing stores.
The Changing Places facility means anyone who needs help to go to the toilet when away from home has an appropriate environment in which to ‘go’; many disabled people need more space, and/or additional equipment beyond what is provided in traditional accessible toilets.
Kelsey Avery, customer services manager at IKEA Gateshead, commented: “At IKEA Gateshead we take great pride in providing an inclusive and accessible shopping experience.
“Through our vision to create a better everyday life for people, we recognised the importance of Changing Places for many of our customers in the North East, and are proud we are now able to offer a Changing Places facility to the local community.”
The IKEA Gateshead Changing Places toilet is located at the end of the store, by the checkout, and features a conventional peninsular WC, ceiling track hoist, height adjustable washbasin and height adjustable adult sized changing bench in the room, measuring 12 square metres.
Changing Places are, under British Standards, deemed best practice for accessibility. Their validity in locations to which the public have access is becoming recognised to the extent that the Government is now consulting on changing the law to make their provision mandatory in large, new buildings accessed by the public.
