New toilets, Changing Places facility and family room open at Shrewsbury’s Darwin Centre
Inside the new toilets
The newly-refurbished middle level of Shrewsbury’s Darwin Centre, made possible by significant capital investment from Shropshire Council, opened to visitors on Friday 16 October 2020.
Brand new toilets and a Changing Places facility have been created to meet the needs of all the town’s shoppers. A brand-new family room has also been created, which features a baby changing area, breast feeding zone, play area and dining counter, as well as a kitchenette and family toilet facilities.
Taking a look at the new facilities are Kevin Lockwood, Shrewsbury shopping centres manager, with Peter Nutting, Leader of Shropshire Council
The Changing Places unit allows accessible toilet and changing facilities for adults and carers and is the most modern and up-to-date facility of its kind in Shrewsbury.
New floor tiles and renovated ceilings have created a contemporary finish and new wayfinding signage has made all the new services easy to locate and use. Shop fronts have been upgraded and the existing ceiling has been stripped out and new lighting installed, to make the centre brighter and lighter.
To minimise disruption, most of the work was phased and carried out overnight.
These major improvements were planned when Shropshire Council purchased the centre in 2018.
The new Changing Places facility
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said:
“The new facilities are outstanding. This work was a significant investment, but it was well worth it – in my opinion our new toilets, family room and Changing Places facility are now the best in the region and will help attract people to the centre from Shrewsbury, Shropshire and beyond. The refurbishment has also enabled the mid-level to be far more welcoming, which will undoubtedly help our tenants in the run-up to Christmas.”
Kevin Lockwood, Shrewsbury Shopping Centre Manager, said:
“The Darwin Centre was able to trade throughout the refurbishment works and our footfall levels have remained strong. In fact, our footfall is higher than the national average, which is helping to further restore confidence and spend within our stores. The first milestone has now been met and we are excited to embark on the next stages of the transformation of the Shrewsbury Shopping centres.”
Mr Durmus Bozdogan, owner of Frankie’s Cafe in the Darwin Centre, said:
“The new facilities are really impressive and will make everyone’s visit to the centre much more enjoyable and comfortable. The new family room is incredible – they have thought of everything! I have no doubt that this work will help attract new shoppers to the centre and I am excited to see the next stages of the transformation of Shrewsbury shopping centres come to fruition. As an independent business in Shrewsbury, I am personally really pleased to be on this journey with Shropshire Council, as they make Shrewsbury a much more appealing destination for all.”
The new breast feeding area
The new baby-changing area and family toilet
As part of Shropshire Council’s place shaping and long-term investment strategy, refurbishing the centre will secure a vibrant and sustainable future, which contributes positively to Shrewsbury as a quality destination for its residents and visitors and delivery of the Big Town Plan.
