New Changing Places Facility Planned for Scotch Hall Shopping Centre in Drogheda
Planning and Timeline for the New Changing Places Facility at Scotch Hall
Construction on a new Changing Places facility at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre in Drogheda is scheduled to begin in January 2027, Drogheda Life reported. Campaigners welcomed the confirmation following meetings between local representatives and centre management, improving accessibility in County Louth.
The project forms part of a wider refurbishment planned by Scotch Hall. Once completed and registered with Changing Places Ireland, the installation will become the first registered Changing Places toilet located inside a shopping centre anywhere in the county.
Origins of the Local Campaign
Annette Monaghan launched her personal advocacy for a dedicated facility in Drogheda back in 2016, later establishing a formal town-centre campaign in 2018. The initiative aimed to secure a central location so that families caring for individuals with complex disabilities could visit the town without needing to plan outings around standard accessible toilet limitations.
Earlier advocacy traced back to approximately 2006, when local mothers Geraldine Conway and Ursula Reagan approached Scotch Hall to request an adult-sized changing bench for their sons, Alex and Ryan. Campaign organizers acknowledged those initial efforts as part of the historical context leading up to the current refurbishment plans.
Parents and Local Officials Support the Project
The collective effort behind the announcement brought together parents, disability groups, local non-governmental organizations, and elected officials. Annette Monaghan highlighted the ongoing support provided by Cllr Paddy McQuillan, who first connected with the campaign in 2019 due to his background working in the disability sector.
Louth County Council provided backing for the project through engagement with Chief Executive David Conway and Director of Service Thomas McEvoy. Campaigners noted that while Building Regulations Part M introduced updated standards in January 2023 acknowledging that standard accessible toilets do not meet everyone’s needs, direct action from commercial entities remains essential for delivering suitable infrastructure.