Norfolk gets, and gives, best value with Closomat

17 Feb 2020

Best value for everyone is being delivered as a result of ‘joined up’ thinking by project teams at a local Council, with the help of Closomat; the end results of which will help deliver a unique tourism opportunity.

As part of its Deep History Coast project, designed to make the most of the Ice Age coastline, North Norfolk District Council planned to refurbish and upgrade its Cromer-based Information Centre.

Through work by local accessibility campaigner Emma Spagnola, the Council was aware of the need to improve its inclusion offering.

Therefore, it took the opportunity to build on the central refurbishment, and simultaneously include a Changing Places assisted accessible toilet in the Information Centre building.

Supplied and installed by Closomat, it gives people who need help with their intimate hygiene more space (12 square metres), plus appropriate equipment including a peninsular WC, full room cover ceiling track hoist, height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and privacy screen.

The Changing Places ensures the Centre now offers a full complement of toilet facilities, as it features alongside a family room, male, female, and conventional wheelchair-accessible toilets.

Closomat

Darren Payne, Project Support Officer, commented: “The Deep History Coast project aims to rival Jurassic Coast in Devon and Cornwall, and provide North Norfolk with a unique, spectacular tourism attraction.

“The work being done at the Information Centre to deliver that gave us a great opportunity to get best value for the Council, residents of the district, and visitors, by providing a Changing Places at the focal point for the whole North Norfolk area.

“North Norfolk District Council is committed to doing what it can to ensure it is as accessible as possible. Mrs Spagnola has done a great job in the region, and nationally, in raising awareness of the need for Changing Places.

“Without such toilet facilities, tens of thousands of disabled people are deprived of enjoying numerous activities most of us take for granted, as they can’t find suitable toilet facilities.

“In worst case scenarios, they face having to be changed on the floor, or just not visit somewhere. We hope we can include more Changing Places in future refurbishment projects.”

Under British Standards (BS8300:2018), it is best practice to provide a Changing Places toilet in addition to conventional accessible facilities in buildings where the public spend time.

Building Regulations Approved Document M (2103) further states Changing Places toilets should be provided within buildings to which the public have access, alongside conventional wheelchair-accessible WCs.

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