Overview

We were delighted to find an accessible fitting room within the kids section of the store. We were able to access it with a radar key. Unfortunately it was filled with boxes and the red cord had been tied up. When I initially mentioned it to a staff member they seemed not to understand the problem and then went to get a store manager. The manager was very friendly and interested to hear my concern. However the excuse was that they ‘needed’ to use the fitting room because the sale was on so they were a bit busy. I was offered an alternative accessible fitting room on another floor but explained that they had missed the point. The manager was surprised that I had managed to access the fitting room without asking for the key from a member of staff - not knowing about the radar key. It’s fantastic that the store has this facility, however if the management or staff are not aware of how to use it properly or how important it is, then it’s completely wasted. I was left feeling that this Next store values accessibility, but only when the sale isn’t on.

Transport & Parking

The car park at Straiton has accessible parking bays right in front of the Next store.

Access

There is plenty space for a wheelchair user to enter the store, and also multiple lifts to get between floors. There are accessible fitting rooms too (when not filled with boxes). Sometimes gondolas are not placed far enough apart, making it a tight squeeze to navigate a wheelchair through parts of the store.

Toilets

Staff

Friendly and attentive but ultimately didn’t seem to grasp the issue and lacked the appropriate training.

Photos