Latest News
Edinburgh Waverley Station’s Changing Places Toilet
We have installed a fully accessible Changing Places toilet at Edinburgh Waverley station for Network Rail. The facility, located in the travel hall, is now open as part of a drive to make rail travel more accessible for everyone. Standard accessible toilets don’t...
Woking Station’s New Changing Places Toilet Officially Opens
On Friday afternoon at Woking station, South Western Railway (SWR) officially opened the first Changing Place Toilet at one of its managed stations, a significant milestone in its commitment to making its network more accessible and inclusive for all its customers. We...
Changing Places Toilets for Transport: A Guide
In 2021's UK Disability Survey, the issue of transport was raised by many disabled people. Respondents stated that improved access to transport would improve their lives. This included more accessible stations (for example bus and train stations). Here is one of the...
Are Football Stadiums Accessible? A View from the Stands with Ross Hovey
We talked to Liverpool FC supporter and wheelchair user Ross Hovey a while ago about his personal experience of being a disabled supporter, and what he thinks can be done to improve accessibility for disabled fans. How long have you been a Liverpool FC supporter?...
Bespoke Powered Seat For Lifelong Wrexham Fan
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study:Â Bespoke Powered Seat For Lifelong Wrexham FanAidan Scott, a 37-year-old with cerebral palsy, had been trying to raise funds for a bathroom that could accommodate his needs. His parents had to sell their family home to buy a flat closer to...
Changing Places Toilets for Public Spaces: A Guide
More than 240,000 disabled people and their families rely on Changing Places Toilets when out and about in public spaces, which is why the Government introduced legislation in January 2021, stipulating that large new public building developments and redevelopments...
Ahlam’s Journey to Engineering Manager at Astor Bannerman: A Story of Diverse Experience and Passion for Improving Lives
Ahlam Qattan, our new Engineering Manager at Astor Bannerman, has had a diverse and extensive professional journey that has led her to her current position. Starting with a year in industry at McLaren, working in automotive engineering, Ahlam quickly realized that...
Somerset County Cricket Club Installs New Changing Places Toilet
A new Changing Places Toilet facility was recently installed at Somerset County Cricket Club, in the heart of Taunton. The new toilet facility will help improve the visitor experience for people who require additional support that is not met by standard accessible...
Changing Places Toilets for Sporting Venues: A Guide
The charity Level Playing Field conducts an annual survey to find out about the barriers that disabled fans face when attending sporting fixtures. In the 2022 survey, accessible toilet facilities came top in the list of stadium facilities respondents said would be of...
National Memorial Arboretum Improves Accessibility for Visitors with New Changing Places Toilet
A new Changing Places Toilet facility has recently been installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, within the National Forest. Delivered with grant funding from the Government’s Changing Places Toilet Fund with support from Lichfield District...
Changing Places Toilets for Retail: A Guide
According to Purple Tuesday, the spending power of disabled people and their household worldwide is currently estimated to be worth $8 trillion, increasing by 14% per annum. Not only that, but 75% of disabled people and their families have walked away from a business...
Widnes and Southport Markets and their Changing Places Toilets
Changing Places Toilets are now being installed in a variety of retail environments, from supermarket giant Tesco, to shopping centres such as Elmsleigh Shopping Centre. Community markets are also taking steps to make their retail environment as accessible as...
Installation of a Changing Places Toilet at Guildford Friary Shopping Centre
THE BACKGROUND Case Study:Â Guildford Friary Shopping CentreThe Friary is a large shopping centre located in the heart of Guildford. As well as an extensive range of shops over two levels, it also has a wide range of food concessions on the third level. Guildford...
Changing Places Toilets for Tourist Attractions: A Guide
According to Visit England, the total expenditure generated by those with a disability or those travelling within a group where a member has a disability is estimated to be £15.3bn. Research also shows that disabled people and their families potentially stay longer in...
Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park Welcomes New Changing Places Toilet in English Tourism Week
It is English Tourism Week this week, and one of the Cotswold's leading outdoor visitor attractions, Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, has shown it is a truly visitor focused tourist spot with the announcement that the site now has a Changing Places Toilet. See the...
Modular Changing Places: The Accessible Toilet Solution When Space is Limited
Space is often at a premium in venues where Changing Places Toilet installations are being planned, and it can sometimes be difficult to find a suitable place internally to locate the facility where there is good access and enough space to allow the 12m2 of area...
Portsmouth City Council Opens New Changing Places Toilet next to D-Day Story Museum
Astor Bannerman recently installed a Changing Places Toilet at Clarence Esplanade car park, next to The D-Day Story Museum in Portsmouth, and it was officially opened last week. See the new toilet on the Changing Places UK map People with disabilities and their...
New Accessible Toilet Facility Officially Opens in Weston-super-Mare
We were thrilled to be invited to the official opening of a Changing Places Toilet in Weston-super-Mare yesterday, along with Healthmatic, who we partnered with for the project, and who were the principal contractors. The facility has benefited people with...
Elmsleigh Shopping Centre Opens New Government Funded Changing Places Toilet
Astor Bannerman recently installed a Changing Places Toilet at Elmsleigh Shopping Centre in Staines upon Thames, and it was officially opened last week by the Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr Susan Doran. See the new toilet on the Changing Places UK map Spelthorne Borough...
We went bright for Muscular Dystrophy UK!
Our lovely team here at Astor Bannerman got together for a little lunchtime party, as part of Muscular Dystrophy UK’s #GoBright awareness month. Packed with bright, colourful, and extremely tasty doughnuts and cakes, the team not only filled their bellies, but the...
Recipients of Second Round of Changing Places Toilet Funding Announced
Changing Places UK have just revealed the list of Local Authorities which have been successful in their application for the second round of Changing Places Toilet funding. Read the full list Following the successful first round of applications, £23.5 million was...
A peek behind the scenes into the sales life at Astor Bannerman
Our Digital Marketing Executive, Husain Kadodia, was out on the road last week with our Business Development Manager for the North, David Harrison, on some site visits and product demonstrations. Read below as he peeks behind the curtain into the sales life at Astor...
Astor Bannerman’s Turnkey Changing Places Toilet Service
There is a lot to consider when planning the installation of a new Changing Places Toilet. From the location and size of the room needed, the specific construction work required to make the room ready for equipment installation, to the choice of equipment, building...
Lords Cricket Ground Goes in to Bat for Accessibility with New Changing Places Toilet
Astor Bannerman recently installed a Changing Places Toilet at 'The Home of Cricket', Lord's Cricket Ground. The Changing Places Toilet is the second to be added in recent years, the installations forming part of a decade-long project, which includes the building of...
Gary Neville and Class of ’92 Score Winner for Accessibility with New Changing Places Toilet at University Academy ’92
Astor Bannerman recently installed a Changing Places Toilet at University Academy 92 (UA92), an educational institution founded by Manchester United's legendary Class of '92, and with degrees awarded by Lancaster University. See the new toilet on the Changing Places...
Wightlink’s New Changing Places Toilet Helps Give Disabled Travellers the Confidence to Cross the Solent
We were thrilled to be invited to the official opening of a newly installed Changing Places Toilet at Wightlink's ferry terminal in Portsmouth last week. Yachtsman Geoff Holt, who uses a wheelchair, carried out the official opening. The ferry company has provided the...
New Changing Places Toilet at Tate Britain
Astor Bannerman recently installed a Changing Places Toilet at the world renowned Tate Britain Art Gallery in London. See the new toilet on the Changing Places UK map The new toilet adds to their already impressive accessibility provision, which includes free to...
Government Funded Changing Places Toilet Opens at Rushcliffe Country Park
Astor Bannerman recently installed a Changing Places Toilet at Rushcliffe Country Park in Nottinghamshire, and it was officially opened today, along with their new café, upgraded visitor's centre, and bookable conference room. See the new toilet on the Changing Places...
Bath Abbey Changing Places Toilet Featured in Premier Construction Magazine
We were very pleased to be included in an article in the latest edition of Premier Construction Magazine as part of a feature on the recent major work at Bath Abbey. As part of the project, Astor Bannerman installed a Changing Places toilet to boost accessibility for...
New Machinery at Astor Bannerman’s Gloucestershire Factory
As part of Astor Bannerman's ongoing mission to innovate, and provide first-class customer service, we recently invested in new tube bending machinery for our Gloucestershire factory, allowing us to optimise turnaround times and cost efficiency. AMOB UK, who provide...
New Changing Places toilet opens at Harefield Hospital in Greater London
A new, fully accessible Changing Places Toilet has been installed at Harefield Hospital for patients, visitors and staff. The Changing Places toilet is the first of its kind to be installed at Harefield Hospital, and is Harefield village’s first.Astor Bannerman...
Second Round of Government Changing Places Toilet Funding Announced
The Government has confirmed that Local Authorities which have not yet taken advantage of the available Changing Places Toilet Government funding can now apply to receive a portion of the remaining £6.5m for new Changing Places toilets in England. The deadline for...
Swansea Arena Installs New Changing Places Toilet
Astor Bannerman supplied equipment for a Changing Places Toilet in the spectacular Swansea Arena, which opened in March. The brand-new landmark 3,500 capacity indoor arena is in the heart of Copr Bay, Swansea, South Wales. Having already started attracting some of the...
New Changing Places Toilet at Seven Sisters Country Park
Seven Sisters Country Park encompasses 280 hectares of rolling chalk downland, flood plain meadow and wetland habitat, flanking the meanders of the Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex (famously painted by Eric Ravilious). It lies on the South Downs Way and, soon to be...
Installation of a Changing Places Toilet at Seven Sisters Country Park
THE BACKGROUND Case Study:Â Seven Sisters Country Park Seven Sisters Country Park is a unique place. It comprises 280 hectares of chalk cliffs, meandering river valley and open chalk grassland. It is home to grazing livestock, rare flora and fauna and is a corridor...
Prominent Leeds Museum Improves Accessibility with Changing Places Toilet
The Royal Armouries Museum is the modern home of the United Kingdom’s national collection of arms and armour. It houses one of the largest collections of arms and armour in the world, with more than 4,500 objects from the ancient world to the modern day. The decision...
Installation of a Changing Places Toilet at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study: Royal Armouries Museum, LeedsThe Royal Armouries Museum is the modern home of the United Kingdom’s national collection of arms and armour. It houses one of the largest collections of arms and armour in the world, with more than 4,500 objects...
International Women in Engineering Day 2022: A Q&A with Ahlam Qattan
23rd June is International Women in Engineering Day, and to mark the occasion we want to talk about the fantastic team of engineers that work here at Astor Bannerman, what they bring to the business, and why we need more girls to come into the engineering profession....
Astor Bannerman Supports Latest DIY SOS Big Build
Astor Bannerman were very pleased to support the family featured on last night’s DIY SOS Big Build by donating and installing a height-adjustable bath in their home in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. Completed and filmed in February 2020 by Nick Knowles and his team (in...
South Wales Church Improves Accessibility with New Changing Places Toilet
The Christchurch church and community centre near Newport, South Wales has recently installed a Changing Places Toilet, improving accessibility for not only members of the church, but also local community groups and clubs, conference attendees and visitors to the...
Installation of a Changing Places Toilet at Christchurch Centre, Newport
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study:Â Christchurch Centre, NewportChristchurch, Newport is a church in South Wales which plays a big part in the local community. They offer meeting and conference space, host local groups, run clubs and work to help people in need. They were keen...
Astor Bannerman Proud to Achieve ISO13485 Accreditation
We are delighted to announce that Astor Bannerman has just achieved ISO13485 accreditation, an internationally agreed standard specific to the medical devices industry. We are extremely proud of our strong in-house quality management systems and are pleased that we...
Astor Bannerman Partners with KwickScreen to Bring Innovation to the Privacy Screen Market
We are delighted to announce that KwickScreen and Astor Bannerman will be partnering to offer fully customisable and supremely functional privacy screens for Changing Places Toilets, SEND Schools and Care Homes. Read more about the KwickScreen Wall Mounted Privacy...
Hoists in Changing Places Toilets: Top 4 Considerations
Hoists are one of the key components of a Changing Places Toilet and there are a few essential things to consider before installing them. See below for our top 4 things to think about at the planning, design and installation stages. Installing hoists into Changing...
New Range of Bolsters Grips the Market
Astor Bannerman continue to innovate in the bathing and changing market with their latest product launch of the Astor Grip Strip Bolster Range. The Astor Grip Strip range of bolsters and support cushions was developed alongside a team of Occupational Therapists to...
Leeds Royal Armouries Officially Opens New Changing Places Toilet
We were thrilled to be invited to the official opening of a newly installed Changing Places Toilet at The Royal Armouries in Leeds on Monday. Installed by Astor Bannerman, the project was made possible due to funds received from the Department for Digital, Culture,...
Astor Bannerman’s Changing Table for Public Toilets: The Astor Invincible
It was recently announced that 191 Local Authorities have been successful in their bids to acquire a portion of the £30m pot of Government funding for new Changing Places Toilets.Read more about the funding announcementLocal Authority? Find out how we can support...
Changing Places Toilets and Autism
It is World Autism Acceptance Week this week, which provides the perfect opportunity for us to talk about how Changing Places Toilets can help people living with autism and other neurodivergencies. With the recent confirmation of £23.5m of Government funding across...
Local Authority Recipients of £30m Changing Places Toilet Funding Announced
Changing Places UK have today revealed the list of Local Authorities which have been successful in their application for Changing Places Toilet funding. Read the full list The Government has announced that funding has now been allocated for new Changing Places Toilet...
Changing Places Toilets Planning & Design: Top 6 Considerations
Here are our top 6 things to consider when planning and designing Changing Places Toilets.1. LAYOUT The Changing Places Consortium have published detailed requirements for Changing Places Toilets, including specifications for everything from room size to placement of...