Putney Exchange cleans up at the Loo of the Year Awards 2013

The newly opened customer toilets at the Putney Exchange Shopping Centre have cleaned up in the annual Loo of the Year Awards 2013. The national competition aims to find the best places ‘to go’ in Britain with the aim of encouraging the highest possible standards in all types of ‘Away from Home’ or ‘Public’ toilets.

Putney Exchange and its facilities were victorious in three categories; Retail Sector Winner, National Category Winner as well as the Attendant of the Year Award for their In House Cleaning Team. Overall the facilities were awarded Platinum status - the highest level available.

The Loo of the Year Awards and associated Attendant of the Year Awards for cleaning staff have been identifying the best in Britain since 1987 and are recognised as standard setters for all those who provide ‘away from home’ facilities for staff, customers and visitors.

Every entry received an unannounced visit from an authorised Loo of the Year Awards Inspector and was assessed against 100 judging criteria – including signage and décor, fixtures and fittings and overall standards of cleanliness and management. Every loo receives a grading ranging from Bronze to Platinum. Gold and Platinum winners are short listed for one of a number of National Awards covering England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The 2014 Awards are supported by the four national tourism bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

1424 entries were received this year, across the sixty separate entry categories of the competition, with many first time entries from establishments joining the increasing number of providers who submit their toilet facilities for an annual, independent assessment.

Commenting on the win, Anne Partridge, Centre Manager said, “These prestigious awards are testament to all the hard work that’s gone into delivering what we believe are superior customer facilities that make a real difference to the overall shopping experience for local people and families”.

The new customer toilets complete with state-of-the-art Baby Care Suite were one of the first major milestones in the redevelopment of the Putney Exchange. The recently opened facilities include a separate baby changing zone and dedicated feeding area with specially designed breastfeeding chairs, bottle warmers, side tables and overhead mobiles. There are three changing areas complete with integral soap and hand basins and two spacious family cubicles which allow mum or dad to use the facilities together without having to split up – a feature often requested by families with young children. The toilets and sinks are provided at low level for little ones and specialist toy retailer in the centre, Toystop, has contributed a Bead Table to keep younger members amused. In the main area, there are energy efficient hand driers, lighting sensors to save on electricity when not in use and sensor taps/soap dispensers designed and included to keep waste to a minimum and reflect the Centre’s commitment to carbon reduction and future sustainability.

Centre Manager, Anne Partridge adds: , “Delivering what our customers wanted played a large part in the final design of the facilities. We included features that make a real difference to parents such as automatic doors into the suite for buggies and prams, a television to keep mum entertained while she feeds and disposable bib and nappy vending for those little emergencies”.

“The Putney Exchange has always been popular with local families and we’re now able to reward our customers with the very best in baby feeding and changing services. We’re delighted that our careful, thoughtful and eco-friendly design has been recognised by these prestigious national awards and hope that Putney Exchange will become south west London’s shopping centre of preference”.

December 12, 2013