Market Place Shopping Centre officially opens Changing Places facility

Called a Changing Places facility, the room contains special equipment for those with additional needs.

More than a quarter of a million people across the UK require the need to use accessible toilet facilities such as Changing Places Toilets.

Changing Places Toilets offer severely disabled people an abundance of equipment that standard toilets fail to have on offer.

This equipment includes but is not limited to hoist, curtain, adult-sized changing bench and plenty of space for carers.

Standard accessible toilets, better known as disabled toilets, do not offer these facilities, or are not large enough to accommodate more than one person.

Without Changing Places Facilities, the user with disabilities is put at an extreme risk, and their families are forced to risk their own health and safety by changing their loved one on a toilet floor.

 Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young said: “I am delighted to see our funding has helped secure new Changing Places toilets in Bolton, delivering modern and accessible facilities in areas where they are needed most.

“As part of our mission to level up communities across the country, we are supporting councils to make a real difference to people’s lives. Providing these important public facilities is the latest example in how we’re achieving that.”

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Bolton Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said: “Everyone should have the freedom and confidence to know they can access the facilities they need, wherever they are.

“That is why we were delighted to secure £225,000 from the government to fund Changing Places toilets for the Market Place Centre and other key sites in the borough.

“As a popular retail and leisure destination, Market Place is playing a vital role in the transformation of our town centre and is an ideal location for this important new facility.”

Rachel Townsend, General Manager at Market Place Centre, said: “This exciting new addition to our Centre makes a big difference in improving accessibility for everyone in our community.

“It's really heartening to know that our customers can feel confident that we've got their needs covered.

“It's sad to think that some people with severe disabilities might feel left out in society, especially when it comes to their health and wellbeing.

“We're deeply committed to taking care of our community, so we were absolutely thrilled to team up with the Council and MDUK to make this Changing Places toilet a reality in our Centre.

“It's partnerships like these that truly make a positive impact, and we're proud to be a part of it.”

Bolton Council successfully funded and facilitated three Changing Places Facilities across Bolton, with one being in Market Place.

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