Changing Places Case Study: Cineworld, Hull

Written by Pat McMahon
February 3, 2022

Let’s Go To The Flicks

Cineworld is the world’s second-largest cinema chain with over a hundred locations in the UK. Offering moviegoers cinematic experiences with a range of showings, the chain is also popular for food and drink.

Going to watch a film is one of the everyday experiences people without disabilities may take for granted, but for some, especially those with profound disabilities, the cinema can present issues – especially when it comes to using the bathroom. Cineworld Hull has gone the extra mile by including a Changing Places toilet in their recent refurbishment in the hopes that their new screens are accessible to many more people.

Adapting an Existing Space into a Changing Places Toilet

Changing Places are particularly important within the leisure industry as the specially built toilets enable many more people to enjoy the same entertainment that so many of us have access to without issue. Many campaigners and customers alike have requested that cinemas in the UK adopt a Changing Places policy so they can enjoy films with their families.

Cineworld saw the recent refurbishment of their Hull site as a great opportunity to respond to customer requests and incorporate a new Changing Places toilet into their venue.

The huge renovation project saw the chain install a new premium format Superscreen which includes four wheelchair spaces so everyone can enjoy the view. The lobby area and other screens were also refurbished.

The RISE team came in as secondary contractors to install premium equipment into a specially created space. We kitted the new space out with a hoist, adult-sized changing bench, peninsular toilet, and height-adjustable washbasin. Finishing touches ensured the facility was consistent with the venue’s other toilets, and all of the equipment was safety-tested before we handed the keys over to Cineworld.

The new toilet is fully compliant with requirements and was the first registration of 2022 made by the Changing Places Consortium.

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A Blockbuster

The new facility is a big hit already and Cineworld have recently committed that they will include a Changing Places loo in all cinema refurbishments and new builds moving forward.

The provision of a Changing Places toilet is not only a hit with customers but in time will come to be of benefit to the cinema thanks to the wider range of people now able to add watching a movie to the list of activities they can do comfortably.