The leisure industry could increase business of a specific market which represents over 130m people in Europe*, purely by improving toilet facilities.
The European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) maintains the difficulties travellers and tourists with disabilities experience include lack of well-adapted hotel rooms and lack of accessible toilets in restaurants and public places. In the UK specifically, BS8300:2009 code of practice for accessible building design advises multi-occupancy new build or refurbishment- including hotels- provide up to 15% of bedrooms as accessible, and that public buildings include a specialised Changing Places accessible toilet+.
To enable the leisure industry to efficiently capitalise on this market sector, and ensure effective compliance with the Standard, Total Hygiene, the UK’s leader in disabled toilet, washroom and bathroom provision, has developed a unique package. Using expertise gained through 50 years in disabled toileting, the company can advise on regulatory requirements, plus design, install and service all elements needed to create an accessible bedroom suite, washroom or Changing Places facility.
Says Robin Tuffley, Total Hygiene marketing manager, “We ALL visit the toilet up to eight times a day. Research also shows that many disabled people and their carers make a conscious decision NOT to visit somewhere if they feel they cannot use the toilet in a clean, safe and suitable environment. Many ‘accessible’ toilets do not comply even with the current Building Regulation Approved Document M. The statistics for the potential market highlight it is worth spending a little time, effort, and perhaps money, upgrading bathrooms, washrooms and toilets to make them suitable for disabled people. It may be something as small as including a grab rail, through changing a conventional WC for a ‘wash and dry’ toilet such as a Clos-o-Mat to a Changing Places toilet. Regardless, we are best positioned to help design and provide these appropriate facilities.
To highlight the requirements to the industry, Total Hygiene has created a dedicated sector on its website www.clos-o-mat.com, and will be taking part in Leisure Industry Week at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham in September, on stand F280.
