A North East retail park builds on its recent win at the Loo of the Year Awards with the launch of its new accessible facility to help meet the needs of shoppers who live with disabilities.
The Changing Places toilet, which opened at Teesside Park to the public earlier this month, features equipment such as an adjustable changing bench and hoist.
Changing Places is a campaign that aims to have Changing Places toilets installed in all public venues so that everyone, regardless of their access needs, disability or reliance on the assistance of carers or specialist equipment, can use a toilet facility.
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According to Changing Places, more than a quarter of people in the UK need extra space and equipment to help them use toilets safely and comfortably.
Tracey Speight from Middlesbrough, a carer for a disabled young person, has been in talks with Teesside Park about the need for more accessible changing at the centre.
She has welcomed the opening of the new facility and believes it will benefit the local community and raise awareness of the need for Changing Places facilities.
Tracey Speight said: “Many people aren’t aware of what a Changing Place facility is or how essential it can be for those who live with disabilities or limiting conditions.
“Changing Places facilities are vital as many people cannot use standard accessible toilets. It’s such a positive step from Teesside Park to introduce this at the centre. I’m hopeful others will look to do similar when they see just how much of a difference the facilities can make in the community.”
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As well as the new Changing Places facility, Teesside Park is also celebrating picking up a Diamond Award at the Loo of the Year Awards 2021.
The awards recognise the UK’s best public washrooms and is an established benchmark of washroom provision and compliance to national standards.
Catherine Furlong, centre director at Teesside Park, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to make Teesside Park more accessible for our shoppers.
“We’re always looking at ways to improve our facilities. Receiving a Diamond Award from the Loo of the Year Awards is fantastic recognition and highlights just how hard our team at the centre has been working to keep standards high.”
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Teesside Park’s other accessible services currently include wheelchair hire and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme.
British Land, the parent company of Teesside Park, has also recently been awarded the ‘Disability Smart Accreditation’ from the Business Disability Forum.
The award is given to organisations that can demonstrate that disability inclusion is an integral part of its company culture and processes.
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British Land is the first organisation within the real estate sector to gain this recognition.
The centre continues to have extra measures in place to help shoppers enjoy a safe and comfortable visit.
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