| Marks out of 10 | 8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ |
| Time of day we visited | 12pm |
| Wait time | 5 mins |
| Location of toilets | First floor, using the lift, towards the rear of the store and to the right. |
✅ What We Loved
Transfer choice! There are two accessible toilets – one for left-sided transfer, one for right. With Scott having limited mobility on his left, he found the left-sided transfer much easier, as he can rotate more confidently on his right foot. Small detail, big impact.
Baby changing is separate. We know this one splits opinion – but we were relieved (pun intended) that there was no baby changing table in the accessible toilet itself.
🍼 Why? Because M&S has a dedicated baby changing room, which is genuinely accessible, plus baby change facilities in both the men’s and women’s standard toilets. That’s inclusive design done right. 👏 A young woman was using the disabled toilet, with a young baby in a buggy when we arrived, but we appreciate mums need a larger room for themselves when they ‘gotta go’ 🚻
🛠️ What Was Done Well
A clean, mild smell – no chemical overload or mystery damp. Always a win.
A solid setup of grab rails, both horizontal and vertical – no wobbles, no awkward gaps.
All key fittings – sink, soap dispenser, loo roll, mirror, hand dryer and bins – were at reachable height.
Lighting was calm and soft, not blinding, and the white toilet contrasted well with the wooden walls and grey flooring.
🤔 What Could Be Better
Toilet was low. Now, we get that for some people this might be helpful, but for Scott – and many others – a low toilet makes standing up really challenging. Consider it an unexpected leg-day workout.
Red emergency pull cord didn’t reach the floor. It wasn’t tied up (which we’ve seen far too often), but still too short. If Scott had fallen, he might not have been able to reach it. This is a key safety issue.
Space was tight. Scott could turn his wheelchair, but only just – and with multiple bins in the way, I had to awkwardly clamber around him to reach the sink and door. If you need a carer’s assistance, it’s a bit of a squeeze.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Signage & Location | ✅ 1/1 |
| Transfer Accessibility | ✅ 1/1 |
| Grab Rails & Fixtures | ✅ 1/1 |
| Red Cord Safety | ❌ 0/1 |
| Wheelchair Space | ❌ 0.5/1 |
| Lighting & Sensory | ✅ 1/1 |
| Visual Contrast | ✅ 1/1 |
| Hygiene | ✅ 1/1 |
| Baby Changing Approach | ✅ 1/1 |
| Toilet Height | ❌ 0.5/1 |
| Total | 8/10 |
💬 Final Thoughts:
A thoughtful, mostly well-designed accessible toilet that shows someone has considered real-life needs. Just a couple of key misses – like the red cord and low seat – that could make a big difference to some users. Still, a solid choice if you’re shopping in Haverfordwest.
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