A JD Wetherspoon’s pub restaurant in Blackpool has surged in popularity since opening a Changing Places toilet facility, for the benefit of disabled users who need additional support.
Changing Places toilets are designed to provide support for people who need physical help, changing or extra space for their personal hygiene requirements.
The concept was developed 10 years ago. Since then, Building Regulations and British Standards have altered to recommend the provision of these facilities in public locations, in addition to conventional wheelchair-accessible toilets.
In the past decade, around 900 Changing Places toilets have opened around the UK; these larger facilities, which include a bench and hoist, are benefiting up to 15 million people, their carers and their families.
Installing Changing Places
JD Wetherspoon is the first national pub chain to provide Changing Places toilets. One of its pub restaurants, the Velvet Coaster, is only venue of its kind in Blackpool to have one.
“It’s definitely worth putting in,” comments the pub’s manager, Rebecca White. After opening a year ago, the toilet has been used daily. “Customers think it’s fantastic!”
Changing Places toilets can be supplied and installed by Clos-o-Mat; the company offers a range of assisted accessible toilet facilities, design advice and project management services, covering the whole process.
Clos-o-Mat is commissioned by JD Wetherspoon to supply and fit the facilities in its refurbishments, wherever space allows.
The company’s website acts as a point of reference for specifiers and installers, who may be looking to fit a Changing Places toilet: white papers, standard layouts, videos and both 2D and 3D CAD drawings are available to download.
