Overview

This is a relatively new Changing Places Toilet, it has been developed through community fundraising by local community action group. It really is a welcome improvement to the area as there are not many Changing Places facilities in the local area. This will make a huge difference to the number of disabled visitors that can visit the local area of North Ayrshire. It is particularly helpful as it is hard to find accessible toilets within each of the towns, which are within reasonable travelling distance for anyone travelling around North Ayrshire. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved in getting this toilet put in place.

Transport & Parking

We travelled by car as I wanted to come down and look at the beach hub and also the Changing Places Toilet there is some accessible parking available next to the playpark and the beach hub Cafe although this may be slightly more limited on busier days, The nearest train station is Ardrossan South Beach, This Train Station is staffed and you will be able to get help either from the On training, staff or the station staff to get in and out of the station. From there, it is about a 10 minute wheel or walk from the station to Saltcoats prom some of the pavements are quite uneven at times, so you may have to go on the road.

Access

The disabled access in this area is generally quite good. The area around the prom at Saltcoates is quite flat for the most part and there's plenty of space to move around. At busier times or on sunny some of these it might be slightly overwhelming for some people as it does get really busy with holidaymakers and tourists. The atmosphere is generally very friendly and relaxed. There are wheelchair accessible picnic tables outside the beach hub cafe where are you can sit and have a selection of soft drinks, ice creams and sandwiches.

Toilets

The changing places, toilet itself has a step three entrance and is located next to the non-disabled toilets within the beach hub cafe, you will need a Radar key to unlock the toilet. If you don't have one, I think the staff in the café have one available too

Staff

The staff were very friendly and chatty and are very keen to make you feel welcome. They will come to your table to take your order or are you can alternatively order inside the café. There is really not much space inside the café itself so if you have help with you, then it may be easier for an ambulant person to go inside and order, Alternatively, if you are on your own and are wheelchair user, I'm sure the staff would come out to take your order if you make them aware that you were outside.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The only slight criticism that I have of the changing places toilet is that the toilet roll is hard to reach if you are disabled and on your own without the help. The toilet roll holder is placed on the wall some distance away from the toilet, it would be easier if there could be a toilet roll holder incorporated into the full down handrails, as you can quite often get in public accessible toilets. Otherwise, I think it's a great new asset to the community. A huge well done and thank you to everyone involved.