Changing Places facility
The Changing Places toilet at Tesco’s Watford Extra store.

Astor Bannerman, as part of Aveso, has installed 100 Tesco Changing Places toilets as the supermarket giant continues to improve accessibility across its stores.

The milestone installation at Tesco’s Watford store will ensure those with complex disabilities can use the toilets safely and comfortably, providing access to specialist equipment including hoists, privacy screens and adult-sized changing benches.

The new facility, which opened on 3 December, marks a three-year-long partnership between Muscular Dystrophy UK, Aveso, Tesco and the Changing Places Consortium.

Mark Colebrook, Managing Director of Astor Bannerman, commented: “Astor Bannerman are proud to have manufactured and installed equipment for this project.

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“One hundred extra Changing Places toilets situated in Tesco stores provide more than 250,000 disabled people across the UK greater access to a toilet and more freedom to leave their home.”

The installation continues the trend of organisations and businesses embracing Changing Places toilets across the UK, with the number of registered facilities increasing from 140 in 2007 to over 1,500 this year.

Robert Burley, Director of Campaigns, Care and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK, which co-chairs the Changing Places Consortium, said: “Everyone has the right to use a public toilet as and when they need to, so having access to a Changing Places facility is vital for disabled people. We are delighted that Tesco has installed 100 Changing Places toilets in the UK.

“Having the support of such a high-profile retailer is a much-needed step forward in our campaign and this 100th install is an excellent milestone. We hope other retailers and venues are encouraged to follow suit and help tackle the exclusion many disabled people face.”

With impending changes to building regulations coming into effect at the start of 2021, the growth of Changing Places installations is set to accelerate as the facilities become mandatory in large new and refurbished public buildings.

Tesco’s landmark 100th Changing Places toilets follows the news of another historic Changing Places installation as the Tower of London was recently recognised as the oldest public building to have its new facility registered on the UK Changing Places Map.

 

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