Liverpool ONE plans to become more accessible
12 November, 2025
Liverpool ONE has launched five new accessibility initiatives for Purple Tuesday – including stoma friendly toilets, quiet hours, sensory bags, and more – making shopping and leisure easier for everyone.
Why this matters
Accessible toilets often lack the facilities to make changing a stoma bag safe, clean and easy. Accessible Toilet signage is frequently misleading. It can inadvertently suggest that the facilities are only for use by people with physical conditions/ disabilities.
Giovanni Cinque, Marketing and Campaigns Manager at Colostomy UK, said: “Many accessibility challenges aren’t immediately obvious: for someone with a stoma, access to a well-equipped bathroom can be the difference between venturing out or staying home.
“People with a stoma have additional needs when using the toilet; even a simple day trip can be a potential source of anxiety. Because the condition is ‘hidden’, they often face discrimination too, being challenged or criticised for using accessible toilets.”
What’s changing at Liverpool ONE
- Dedicated stoma friendly toilet facilities, aligned with our guidelines – featuring hooks, shelves, disposal bins and inclusive signage.
- Quiet hour shopping sessions, sensory support tools, clear large-print maps and BSL interpretation on demand – each measure helping to reduce anxiety and increase independence for people with invisible as well as visible needs.
- Clear and visible signage that affirms the right of people with stomas to use accessible toilets, helping to reduce fear of hostility or being challenged.
How we at Colostomy UK support this
Our campaign on stoma friendly toilets sets out the essential features – hooks, shelves, mirrors, disposal bins, and correct signage – which “can make a huge difference to the experience of people living with a stoma.” By celebrating Liverpool ONE’s efforts, we hope to:
- Highlight what good looks like, so more businesses follow.
- Raise awareness that accessibility is more than ramps and wide doors – it’s about dignity, independence and everyday peace of mind.
- Encourage venues to see stoma friendly design as a standard, not an optional extra.
What this means for people living with a stoma
If you have a stoma and plan to visit Liverpool ONE, these changes mean you can feel more confident about your outing. A shelf to place your bag, a mirror to check your appliance, a bin to dispose securely – these may seem small, but for many they make the difference between staying home or going out.
Join us in making accessibility the norm
We hope this positive step inspires other venues across the UK to review their accessibility provisions. If you’re a business wanting to improve your facilities, we’d love to help – our Stoma Aware pack and guidance can be requested. If you’re someone living with a stoma, we’d love to hear your stories: have you noticed changes like these? What would make your day-out easier?
Want to read more? Check the news on Liverpool ONE’s initiative.
