Park’s toilets made more accessible after major refurbishment

Welland Park, a popular attraction in Market Harborough, has seen its toilet facilities extensively refurbished by Harborough District Council that has modernised and made them fully accessible with improved disabled provisions for children and adults.

The transformation means families will benefit from specialist equipment including a height adjustable changing table and associated hoist, nonslip flooring, reduced ceiling height, privacy screens and clear manoeuvring space.

The council has ensured its upgraded facility has spacious baby change room in both the male and female toilets. 

These improvements have cost £100,000 from Section 106 funding, given by developers for community infrastructure in areas where new homes have been built. Funding of £88,000 was also provided from Changing Place UK, and the council has invested £47,000.

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for open spaces, said: “We are pleased to be able to deliver toilets for the community that are practical, sustainable and environmentally friendly. This project shows we are continuing to improve inclusivity and accessibility for everyone in the Harborough district.”

Changing Places UK aims to give people with disabilities access to safe, clean and dignified public toilet facilities, to ensure they can participate inclusively in society.

The council is exploring the possibility of securing further Changing Places funding for similar facilities elsewhere in the district.

If anyone has any suggestions about existing toilets, publicly accessible locations which could be redeveloped as future Changing Places facilities, please contact the council by emailing customer.services@harborough.gov.uk

For more information about Welland Park’s registered Changing Places toilets visit www.changing-places.org/find