Changing Places at Scotland's biggest shopping centre

Scotland’s leading shopping and leisure destination- Silverburn in Glasgow- is ensuring it can be enjoyed by even more people, with the unveiling of new accessible facilities.

The 1million ft2 venue is the latest to open a Changing Places. Executed by Closomat, Britain’s leading provider of such accessible toilets, the new room means anyone who needs the help of a carer for their intimate hygiene now has appropriate facilities whilst at the centre.

Disabled visitors and their carers can therefore relax and enjoy as much time there as they want, without having to curtail their trip because of lack of suitable toilets.

Provided in addition to conventional wheelchair-accessible toilets, and accessed via RADAR key, the Changing Places has more space, and additional equipment- including a ceiling track hoist, adult-sized height adjustable changing bench, height adjustable washbasin, shower, and privacy screen. It forms a key part of improvements at Silverburn, including refreshed, eco-friendly male and female toilets, a parent & child changing room, and a prayer/quiet room.

Explains David Pierotti, Silverburn’s General Manager, “We want to make an environment where customers can come and shop, and feel at ease, whatever needs they may have. Some 20% of Scotland’s population is disabled, so it is important to us to ensure we provide all the facilities necessary to ensure our doors are open to all- hence the addition of the Changing Places.”

Local campaigner for Changing Places Laura Rutherford adds, “Thank you Silverburn! Now my family can go shopping, have a meal, go to the cinema, and relax, knowing there are suitable toilets for Brody. Without the Changing Places, a trip out like that just isn’t possible: we have to make outing short, or face having to lie Brody on the toilet floor to change him.”

Under Building Regulations and British Standards, a Changing Places should be provided in any facilities to which numbers of the public have access, and/or spend a length of time. The latest BS8300:2018 specifically itemises large commercial retail premises as a target location.

Closomat is Britain’s leading provider of helpful toileting solutions, at home and away, including Changing Places and their similar Space to Change facilities. Uniquely, the company can provide an in-house, ‘one- stop-shop’ complete package for ‘away from home’ assisted accessible toilet facilities, from design and commissioning, through to project management, supply and installation, and can also provide subsequent maintenance and repair.