Your thoughts needed on mandatory Changing Places toilets

The UK Government is considering making the provision of Changing Places toilets mandatory in building regulations across the hospitality and tourism sector and are now seeking feedback from industry representatives before a full decision is made.

It has been estimated that around 250,000 people in the UK need the kinds of facilities offered by Changing Places Toilets. These toilets help make businesses and establishments more accessible, as they are larger and better equipped than usual toilet facilities allowing those with additional access needs the opportunity to visit more public places.

Despite the number of people who would benefit from the provision of Changing Places toilets, the UK currently has just two hotels containing Changing Places toilets and neither of them are in England.

The idea to make Changing Places toilets mandatory in building regulations forms part of the Government’s commitment to the Tourism Sector Bill which aims to make the UK the most accessible visitor destination in Europe. The bill includes the building of new hotels, the provision of more accommodation and upgrading and maintaining of tourist attractions around the country.

Over the  summer, the Government launched a consultation on plans to increase the provision of Changing Places Toilets. So far, the feedback has been largely positive, unfortunately, it seems that there has a lack of engagement from those within the Tourism and Hospitality industries.

As the industries that would be most affected by these plans to change building regulations to require the mandatory provision of Changing Places toilets, it is important to for these businesses to engage with the consultation and offer their thoughts on the proposals.

In a bid to engage with hotels, restaurants, pubs, attractions, venues, event organisers and transport hubs around the UK, the Government is seeking views via a new survey. Representatives from this sector will remain open until 21^st February, after which all views will be taken into consideration.

Find out more about the consultation and submit your thoughts here.