Latest News
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: 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...
Changing Places Toilet Installation at Atlantic Racquet Centre
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study: Atlantic Racquet CentreThe Atlantic Racquet Centre (ARC) is a brand new community racquet and fitness centre where everyone can exercise, socialise and learn together. The volunteer led facility is focused on improving the health and...
Boston Endeavour Academy
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study: Building bespoke SEND environments Boston Endeavour Academy is a newly built special school for children age 2-19 with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, located in the market town of Boston, Lincolnshire. It opened to 100...
Michael Tippett College
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study: Michael Tippett School and College The Michael Tippett School and College has a roll of 70 students aged between 11 and 19. Their students have a range of complex needs, such as severe learning difficulties (SLD) or profound and multiple...
Peak School
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study: Peak SchoolPeak School is a Special School Academy in the North West corner of Derbyshire. It caters for children and young adults (aged between 2 and 19) with a whole range of needs, particularly those with profound and multiple learning...
Strathmore School
THE BACKGROUNDCase Study: Strathmore School Strathmore School is a Special Educational Needs School that aims to provide a happy, safe, supported and structured environment in which students will flourish. As an organisation, the school strives to meet both the...
Expo 2020 Dubai: Accessibility and Changing Places Toilets
Astor Bannerman are extremely proud to have installed four Changing Places Toilets at Expo 2020. The globally important event was postponed last year due to Covid, and it finally opened its doors in Dubai this Autumn, showcasing world-changing innovations from around the world.
Astor Bannerman: 27 Years of Going Beyond Routine
In 1993, two friends from Oxfordshire with a passion for technology and mechanics were asked to make a height-adjustable kitchen table by Muscular Dystrophy UK. This challenge developed into a vision of producing solutions which would help support disabled people and...
Dementia: A Hidden Disability
Today is an important day in the disability awareness calendar for two reasons.
Firstly, it is International Day of People with Disabilities today, and the theme this year is ‘Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era’.
Secondly, it is Elf Day, a day to support those living with Dementia, run by the Alzheimer’s Society.
To commemorate these two important days, we spoke to our Marketing Manager Jane Fraser-Hook, who has brought her passion for helping those with Alzheimer’s to Astor Bannerman, about her experiences and how this sometimes hidden disability needs to be taken into account when thinking about accessibility.
Sainsbury’s Installs a Changing Places Toilet in New Aylesbury Gatehouse Store
We recently installed a Changing Places toilet at the newly built Sainsbury’s store in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, which is due to open this week.
The 50,000 ft2 Aylesbury Gatehouse Store is due to open its doors on 24th November, and as well as a Changing Places Toilet, it will also feature an Argos store, and electric vehicle charging points with additional space for disabled customers.
Dorset Hotel Becomes First to Open a Changing Places Toilet – on World Toilet Day!
The family-owned Marsham Court in Bournemouth has become the first UK hotel to install a Changing Places toilet, supplied and installed by Astor Bannerman, celebrating its completion on World Toilet Day 2021 (November 19).
Scottish RSPB Nature Reserve at Loch Leven Installs Changing Places Toilet
A transformation of the visitor facilities at Loch Leven’s precious woodland and wetland reserve has recently been completed, with an Astor Bannerman Changing Places toilet being installed as part of the ambitious project.
Spirits Sky-High at Opening of New Changing Places Toilet at RAF Museum Cosford
RAF Museum Cosford, one of the premier tourist destinations in Shropshire, officially opened its brand-new Astor Bannerman Changing Places Toilet last week. Staff at the museum were joined by carers from City of Wolverhampton Council, Adult Provider Services and Aveso CEO Nick Kent for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Military Veteran Installs Hotel’s Changing Places Toilet in Building Heroes Project
Following the announcement of the partnership between Astor Bannerman and Military Veteran Training Charity Building Heroes in September, ex Royal Marines Commando Dylan Demetrious-Wilde was involved in a collaborative project last month, his company installing a Changing Places Toilet at Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth.
The Astor Invincible: How we Created the First Changing Table Specifically Designed for Public Changing Places Toilets
Astor Bannerman has been designing, manufacturing and installing equipment for people and families living with a disability for more than 27 years. That experience, combined with on-going customer feedback and consultation, has taught us a lot and continues to challenge us to expand our product range with ever improving and innovative products.
Historically, changing tables have been developed primarily for use in private homes, usually in a single-user situation, not high-use, public settings such as a Changing Places Toilet. With our commitment to Changing Places, and through learned experience of extensive installations over the years, we began to question the suitability of the equipment for the job. We decided it was time to develop a Changing Table specifically for use in a multi-user public environment like a Changing Places Toilet, addressing the very specific needs to overcome the challenges thrown up by public Changing Places toilets.
The result: The Astor Invincible Changing Table.
ITV Sports Presenter Unveils New Premises
ITV sports presenter Jill Douglas cut the ribbon to unveil new offices for Astor Bannerman. The official opening of 'The Elephant Works' marks a continued phase of expansion for the us as a company. As well as being a presenter, Jill Douglas is CEO of motor neurone...
A Beautiful Changing Places Toilet for a Stunning Location – Pentire Glaze
We recently installed a Changing Places toilet at the stunning Pentire Glaze in Cornwall, run by the National Trust. Over the Winter and Spring of 2020/21, the North Cornwall National Trust completely re-developed the facilities at the popular Cornish coastal...
Historic Bath Abbey Gets New Changing Places Toilet
We recently completed a Changing Places Toilet project at Bath Abbey, a magnificent historic building in the heart of Bath. The vaulted ceiling and aged structure gave the team a few challenges to overcome, but they were determined to make it work. It just goes to...
“Leaders in Care” Finalist
We are extremely proud to be able to share the news that we are a finalist in this year's "Leaders in Care" awards for our innovative solutions in the care sector. This is a result of a huge team effort from everyone at Astor Bannerman and a great achievement. Astor...
We have been nominated for “Leaders in Care” award!
We are proud to be able to share that we have been nominated for the "Leaders in Care" award! A result of tremendous team work from all at Astor Bannerman who continue to go "beyond routine" everyday.
Military Veterans to Install Changing Places Toilets Nationwide
We are incredibly proud to launch a joint venture with the charity Building Heroes, to train and employ Military Veterans to install Changing Places toilets throughout the UK.
Building an Accessible Future: Trafford Centre’s Legoland Changing Places Toilet
We worked with the team at the Legoland Discovery Centre to install a fully compliant Changing Places Toilet (CPT), which included equipment from the Astor Bannerman’s Changing Places product range.
Accessible, Beautiful and Very Popular: The Deep’s Changing Places Toilet
In 2018 we worked with the team at Hull’s spectacular aquarium The Deep, to install their Changing Places Toilet (CPT).
The fully accessible facility was opened in March of that year, and helped the tourist attraction become one of the most accessible in the UK, winning Gold in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism category of the White Rose Awards in 2019.
£30m Funding for Changing Places Toilets: Local Authority Applications Now Open!
The Government has confirmed today that Local Authorities can now apply to opt in to receive a portion of the £30m Government funding pot for new Changing Places toilets in England.
Euston Station opens a new Changing Places Toilet
A Changing Places toilet was opened at London Euston station last week, and Astor Bannerman equipment was used in the new facility.
Two Changing Places Toilets at Wimbledon? ‘You Cannot be Serious’!
This year’s tennis Championships at Wimbledon start this Monday, and in a big win for toilet inclusivity, disabled visitors will have access to two Changing Places toilets on site. Astor Bannerman equipment was used in both accessible toilets, the first installed in 2018, the second the following year.
From Changing Places Toilets to Changing Babies’ Nappies at Worthing Hospital
After working with Worthing Hospital on their nearly-completed Changing Places toilet project, Dan Brice, part of our Changing Places sales team for the South, visited the Maternity Unit with his wife Hayley for a very different reason recently – to give birth to their baby son Albie!
Kate’s Story
It is estimated that 3 in 5 people will be carers at some point in their lives. The vast majority of care in the UK is provided by family and friends, who make up the UK's 6.5 million...
Dementia Action Week – Customers at the heart of our product design
As a leading designer and manufacturer of specialist bathing equipment our customers are at the centre of what we do. This is visible across our whole product range, but especially in products that we have adapted with a specific group in mind. “Our agile, user...
Finsbury Park premieres the New Astor Invincible Changing Table in a first for Changing Places in Public Parks
Astor Bannerman has worked with Haringey Council to install a brand-new Changing Places toilet in Finsbury Park, North London, boosting the accessibility of green space in the borough. It is the also the first installation of the Astor Invincible, a changing table...
Mental Health Awareness Week – How we were affected as a company and the changes we have made
It has been a testing time for everyone over the last 15 months, and as we take this week to reflect on the impact this has had on our customers, we thought we would wrap up the week with a look internally as to how we have been affected and the way we have had to...
National Mental Health Awareness Week – How have you been affected by Covid-19 and the events of the past 15 months?
We caught up with busy mum of three, Heather Phillips to understand how Covid-19 and the restrictions of lock down affected her and her family. Heather is mum to Emily (19), George (15) and Tom (13). “Emily has Cerebral Palsy so at the beginning of the first lockdown...
National Mental Health Awareness Week – How have you been affected by Covid-19 and the events of the past 18 months?
To show our support for National Mental Health Awareness Week we have "downed our tools" and taken time out to catch up with some of our customers to find out how their mental health and the mental health of those around them has been affected by the events of the...
Astor Bannerman donates nearly £70,000 worth of slings to neighbouring charity organisation, National Star
A highlight of our month was to personally deliver our donation of 675 slings to National Star, our neighbouring charity organisation. Making a difference to people’s lives is at the heart of what we do, and to be able to support a local charity at this time was...
Local Councils to Distribute £30m of Funding for New Changing Places Toilets in England
The Government has confirmed today that £30m of funding to increase the number of Changing Places toilets in England will be distributed by local authorities. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a press release today confirming the plan to...
Choosing the right equipment for your Changing Places Toilet
Choosing the correct equipment for your Changing Places Toilet can be tricky. Understanding how your facility is used is the best place to start, and selecting equipment to match these needs is then easy …
Incorporating Therapeutic Design in Hospitals
When considering design, vision and philosophy in a Hospital, thoughts should be centred on achieving the most therapeutic and functional buildings for patients. Specific targets around artwork, the therapeutic...
The Use of Hoists in Guest Accommodation
The Use of Hoists in Guest Accommodation: a Publication that outlines the best practice and ideal solutions when considering an inclusive guest environment. Working in an advisory capacity, Astor Bannerman are very pleased to have offered our technical expertise to...