The Changing Place facility close to Central Library, Bexleyheath, will officially permanently close on 9 March 2024 due to long term ongoing issues with vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

There is another Changing Place in the Broadway Shopping Centre that can be used instead. This facility is available during shopping centre opening hours and has a key scheme lock, RADAR key, that only those registered with a disability can apply for to gain access.

Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Public Health, Cllr Melvin Seymour said:

This is a very sad day for us. We share the frustration of residents and visitors that this facility will no longer be available but we have no choice. There have been incidents of threatening behaviour and suspected illegal drug use carried out by those who seem to feel they have the right to take the space over. They have made this facility impossible for us to maintain. No sooner have we repaired one episode of vandalism, than another occurs. It has been a difficult decision to make but it simply can’t go on.”

Changing Place facilities are designed so that they are completely accessible and provide sufficient space and equipment for people who are not able to use the toilet independently. They are an extra facility that is provided in addition to accessible toilets. You should only use a Changing Place facility if your disability requires the specialist equipment provided. If it does not you should use the accessible toilets.

The facilities close to the Central Library in Bexleyheath opened in November 2018 and were initially open 24 hours a day. Since opening the site has been continuously targeted by vandals and the specialist equipment has had to be repaired repeatedly following criminal activity.

The Council took the decision in 2021 to use a digital entry security system but despite this the facility was still accessed and vandalised and the specialist equipment damaged.

The new Sidcup Storyteller is also home to a Changing Place facility. The Council are also looking at the possibility of another Changing Place facility in Erith.