A Norwich shopping centre has opened a new purpose-built toilet and changing room for those who cannot use standard accessible toilets.

The new Changing Places room in Chapelfield. Photo: Intu Chapelfield- Credit: Intu Chapelfield

Chapelfield opened the room to help people with profound and multiple learning disabilities as well as people with other complex needs.

The new toilet is located on the dining terrace of the shopping centre.

There are now three Changing Places toilets in Norwich and seven altogether in Norfolk and Waveney.

Chapelfield opens Changing Places facility for people who cannot access standard toilets

Sheridan Smith, marketing manager at Chapelfield, said: 'There are currently fewer than 1,000 Changing Places facilities across the UK. We've listened to the customers who have requested that we install a Changing Places facility.

'We've been working with the Changing Places Consortium and our building services team to secure the right location and are delighted that it's now ready for our customers to us.'

The new facility includes a height adjustable changing bench and a ceiling mounted clip hoist that users attach to their own sling. The room has been fitted to the Changing Places Gold Standard, has a fully automated, height adjustable wash basin and mirror, a privacy screen and non-slip floor.

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Customers took to the centre's social media pages to share their thoughts on the new Changing Places facility.

Jo Newman, said: 'This is amazing, I have a nine-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who is getting too big now to lift onto tiny baby change tables. I refused to change her on the toilet floor so I would usually take her to a disabled toilet, put toilet roll around the seat so my jeans kept clean, lift her onto my lap and change her on my lap which was as you can imagine a struggle by no means. This is such wonderful news, I'm a very happy special needs mum.'

Claire Pope, said: 'Thank you Chapelfield, this really will make a difference to our shopping trips now that this is available.'

Debbie Springate Woodhouse, said: 'That's absolutely brilliant for parents of children with disabilities. No more laying them on dirty floors to change. Great news.'

Chapelfield have also announced that they are planning to transform some cubicles in the lower ground toilets into one big enough to fit a pushchair.