New Changing Places facility at Sydney Gardens in Bath

A new Changing Places toilet and disability-compliant unisex toilet has opened at the new community pavilion in Sydney Gardens, Bath, this week.

The Changing Places facility will mean that people with limited mobility who need the use of equipment to access a toilet safely and comfortably will have another option in the city. The toilets are open from 7am until 6pm during the winter months and are managed by the council’s contractor, Healthmatic.

People can telephone a helpline to arrange access to the Changing Places toilet by calling the number displayed on the Changing Places website or the plaque outside the toilet. As for all council-operated public toilets, there is a 20p charge to use the unisex public toilet at Sydney Gardens. This toilet also has a contactless card reader for park visitors who are caught short without any cash.

The pavilion, which will open next year, is being created on the site of the former park toilets and will be used in conjunction with the Gardeners' Lodge to offer a space for the community, schools, art and health outreach programmes. It is part of the Sydney Gardens park restoration project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Bath & North East Somerset Council. It was awarded match funding of more than £41,000 by Bath City Forum from the Neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

There are four other Changing Places toilets in Bath and North East Somerset – two in Keynsham and two in Bath. The Changing Places website has a search facility and maps where all five facilities in B&NES feature.

Councillor Jess David, cabinet assistant for Neighbourhood Services, said: “It’s fantastic news that a Changing Places facility is being provided as part of the Sydney Gardens restoration project. I hope it will give confidence to families and carers enjoying the park that they have access to a clean changing room that is fit for purpose. I’d also encourage anyone who is out and about in Bath for Christmas shopping to familiarise themselves with our map of city centre toilet facilities before they visit.”

Find out more about the Sydney Gardens restoration project here.