Changing Places At Loo Of The Year Awards

The growing need to accommodate more accessible toileting is being recognised at the 2013 Loo of the Year Awards. As the 500th Changing Places toilet is passed, the British Toilet Association’s Award scheme is recognising the success of the concept of these ‘bigger and better’ accessible toilets in public places with a dedicated category, sponsored by the UK’s leading supplier of disabled toilet solutions, Clos-o-Mat. Changing Places toilets offer more space than standard (Document M type) accessible toilets, and incorporate additional equipment, including an adult-sized changing bench, hoist and privacy screen. The concept was developed to resolve the problems faced by people who need the help of at least one carer to toilet: conventional accessible toilets do not always have the space or facilities to enable them to ‘spend a penny’ in an appropriate environment, meaning they either have to curtail a trip, be double-padded, or are unable to go out at all. Under BS8300:2009 and 2013 Building Regulations, it is now ‘advisable’ to include such a facility in venues to which the public have access. “As we continue the drive towards an inclusive society, it is vital everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy life beyond home. On average we visit the toilet 8 times a day! There are 11million people registered disabled in the UK, a 10% increase in less than a decade, so there is a big, and growing need, to provide suitable toilets. “Car parks to tourist attractions and every public environment inbetween are reporting seeing an increase in visitor numbers, and positive feedback, as a result of having installed a Changing Places toilet, especially when they have further included a Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ (automatic) toilet in place of a conventional WC,” says Robin Tuffley, Clos-o-Mat marketing manager. “We are one of the key suppliers and installers of Changing Places toilets, and believe the good ones should be recognised, hence our sponsorship of the 2013 Loo of the Year Award’s Changing Places category.” Cadbury World is just one venue that has in the past year upgraded its accessible toilets to include a Changing Places facility. Tim Gimbert, Cadbury World operations manager observed, “We had often been asked in the past if we have a hoist in any of the toilets, so that led us to go beyond the legal requirement and install a Changing Places toilet, which is ‘good practice’ under BS8300. Further adding the Clos-o-Mat, which again goes beyond the requirement, means we are accommodating the FULL diversity of visitors. We hope our new toilets will help us win the prestigious Loo of the Year Award in 2013….!” Entries for the Awards can be made until July 31st 2013, at the Loo of the Year Awards’ website www.loo.co.uk., or via a dedicated link @ www.clos-o-mat.com.