Petition updateSupermarkets To Commit To Providing Changing Places Toilets In Stores Within 18 MonthsResponse from Waitrose

Laura MooreWorthing, ENG, United Kingdom

Dec 5, 2017
While I haven't had a direct response from any supermarket about this petition, several people have had replies from their letters, emails and tweets.
I'll warn you, reading on may incite rage!
Waitrose have responded to a customer who emailed to request changing places toilets in their store. Their response says:
"We do understand the difference these facilities make, but the provision of a Changing Place facility is not considered a reasonable adjustment for Waitrose to make, and we are confident we comply with current legislation. I am sorry that we’re not in a position to help you further at this time, however we will of course respond to any future changes in legislation. We're passionate about continually improving the service we offer our customers. If you'd like to feed back on the service I've given you, please click on the link below to take part in our quick survey. As a thank you, we’ll also enter you into our monthly prize draw where you could win £500 in gift cards."
Several people have had their say on this on Twitter (http://bit.ly/2ji6Txk) and I've written my full views on Facebook (http://bit.ly/2il0z72) but in a nutshell..
- Waitrose can't decide what is reasonable under Equality Act 2010 - that's up to a court.
- Waitrose comply with current building regs (which are vague) but are not compliant with the equality act and do not meet requirements under British standards. But besides that, I'd question whether they only go as far as meeting required legislation or minimum standards in other parts of their business? I think not, that is why their customers consider them a luxury brand!
- Waitrose seem only to be passionate about improving services for non-disabled customers. The image I've included in this post is taken from the Waitrose website!
- The £500? I can't even respond to that here as I am so cross!
Today, if you want to get involved in raising more awareness of the great disparity between toilet facilities for disabled and non-disabled people in our supermarkets, please take to Twitter to express your views to Waitrose by tagging them in your tweets and use #OverHeardInWaitrose to give your tweets more relevance.
If you have any queries or questions about this then please contact me via my Facebook page (facebook.com/mumoam)
Copy link
WhatsApp
Facebook
Nextdoor
Email
X