Changing Places specialised toilet and change facilities complete
Work to deliver three specialised toilet and change facilities in three locations across the borough is finally complete, with the third and final unit installed in the Cornbow Shopping Centre in Halesowen this month.
This work completes the three promised sites with suites installed at Dudley Zoo and The Black Country Living Museum earlier in the year.
Dudley Council submitted an application to central government under the Changing Places Toilet Programme fund in 2021. The £150k grant has allowed the installation of these units at popular visitor attractions and sites of high footfall.
Changing place toilets are specially designed for people with complex needs and disabilities. They include specialist equipment. The council has secured additional funding under Round 2 and will be installing a Changing Places at Stourbridge Town Hall.
Councillor Paul Bradley, cabinet member for communities and economic delivery, said:
We know that good quality public toilets are important to anyone visiting attractions and town centres, but for people with additional needs having fit for purpose facilities are essential.
Changing Places Toilets enable anyone, regardless of their disability, to go to the shops, attend hospital appointments, enjoy community life, socialise and travel. All the things that most of us take for granted every day and I’m really glad we’ve been able to access the funding to allow these venues to deliver these facilities for their visitors.
Eve O’Connor, manager of the Cornbow Shopping Centre, said:
After consultation with our customers, it became apparent that the provision of a changing place was an essential. Therefore, we were delighted when the opportunity arose to work in partnership with Dudley Council to access central government funding. We are pleased to announce that the changing place facility is now open for the local community and visitors of Halesowen.
Vicky Rogers, Halesowen BID, said:
Halesowen is working towards becoming a more inclusive town centre with dementia, autism and age friendly businesses across the town centre and now the introduction of the Changing Place is another step along that journey. We aim to make the town accessible to all and this is a exciting new addition.
This CPT has been installed thanks to funding from the Department for Levelling Up programme