A new state-of-the-art Changing Places toilet will be officially opened in Ilkeston town centre on Wednesday 24th February at 1pm.
The £36,000 specialist toilet – the first of its kind in any market town in Derbyshire – has been installed on the first floor of Midlands Co-operative’s Ilkeston Department Store and will provide high-spec facilities for people with severe disabilities and their carers.
The important new facility will be opened by the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Terry Holbrook, at 1pm. The Changing Places toilet has been installed in the town centre location thanks to a pace-setting project led by Erewash Borough Council and its partner, Midlands Co-operative Society.
Councillors and senior officers from Erewash Borough Council will be joined by representatives from the Midlands Co-operative Society and other partner organisations at the launch.
Councillor Barbara Harrison, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for the Environment, said:
“We are delighted and, indeed, very proud that Ilkeston is now the first market town in the county to provide this specialist facility.
“The Changing Places toilet will make a dramatic difference to the lives of some residents and visitors, enabling severely disabled people and their families, friends and carers to visit and shop in the town centre. With this facility, Erewash now offers a dignified solution to the difficulties disabled people have faced for so long - giving them the independence and security they rightly deserve.”
The Council took the decision to provide the facility after listening to representations by local people and follows a national campaign led by the Changing Places Consortium for more specialist toilets to be provided in public places across the country.
Changing Places toilets have space for profoundly disabled people and their carers and are fitted with specialist equipment that includes a height adjustable changing bench, a hoist system and privacy screen.
Councillor Geoffrey Smith, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, said:
“We now want to get the message out to everyone that we have this facility right in the heart of Ilkeston town centre. It will be welcome news, I know, for the many people whose lives will be made so much better from now on when visiting Erewash.”
Erewash Borough Council has funded the provision of the toilet and Midlands Co-operative Society will be responsible for the on-going hosting of the specialist facilities.
