Cornwall Services has seen visitor numbers increase since it opened its Changing Places toilet for disabled visitors at the end of June.
It had the facility installed, by Clos-o-Mat, after the need for the assisted, wheelchair-accessible toilet with additional fixtures of a changing bench and hoist was highlighted by customer Rachel George, who has a 10-year-old disabled son.
“We’ve had a fantastic response,” said site manager Alex Lawson. “It is being used on a daily basis, with customers returning time and time again, and planning trips with a stop scheduled here, knowing they can safely use the toilets with dignity, from 6.00am- 11.00pm seven days a week.
“We have worked hard to let people know about it, with a media campaign for the unveiling, detailing it on our website, and very obvious signage on our roadside totem pole. We believe in doing a ‘proper job’ as we say down here: reaction to the toilet demonstrates we’ve certainly done that as far as disabled people and their families are concerned.”
Kelvin Grimes, Clos-o-Mat away from home project manager, added: “The Changing Places toilet is designed for people who need help, or extra space, to go to the loo, so most will be stopping with at least one carer, maybe a whole family. Therefore, the availability of the facility is bringing not only users but at least double, and potentially up to four times as many customers to Cornwall Services.”
Cornwall Services is the only non motorway service station in the UK to offer a Changing Places facility. Visitors who need to use it just ask a member of staff. The wheelchair-accessible room is 7.5m2, with an adult-sized, height adjustable changing bench and ceiling track hoist.
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