Morrisons becomes first supermarket to make all its accessible toilets stoma-friendly

Morrisons has announced that all accessible toilets in its supermarkets, across England, Scotland and Wales are now stoma-friendly. The initiative aims to support independence, dignity and comfort for people living with a stoma.

The new facilities arrive following customer feedback. They represent a practical step towards strengthening access to appropriate facilities beyond the home.

Stoma-friendly facilities

Morrisons stoma-friendly toilets include features advised by Colostomy UK. These include:

• Hooks for clothing or bags.
• Shelf for supplies.
• Bin for discreet disposal.
• Mirror to help with appliance checks.

Morrisons worked with MSP and advocate for the stoma community Edward Mountain to introduce the new facilities. Mountain wrote to the retailer to share his story and request the toilets be stoma-friendly. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2022 and had a stoma whilst his bowel recovered.

Currently around one in 335 people in the UK are living with a stoma. Individuals of all ages may have one, which can be temporary or for the rest of their life. Stoma surgery can take place to treat a range of illnesses including cancer, diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease or following a trauma to the abdomen.

Colostomy UK welcomed the commitment to stoma-friendly toilets in all stores. The charity raises awareness and champions for simple changes to ensure people with a stoma can live full, active lives without unnecessary barriers.

David Scott, corporate affairs director at Morrisons, said:

We’re really pleased to introduce these improvements in all our stores after listening to customers and with guidance from Colostomy UK.

We worked closely with Edward Mountain, who wrote to us about his personal condition and we found his letter incredibly moving. From this, we recognised that living with a stoma is often a hidden experience that still brings practical challenges in daily life.

By making facilities easier to use across all Morrisons stores, we hope this brings reassurance when out and about and represents a step towards reducing everyday barriers and improving access to suitable facilities across the country.

Conservative MSP Mountain commented:

As a bowel cancer survivor, and as someone who’s lived with the consequences of bowel surgery and a stoma, I cannot emphasise how important this is. These new facilities will make bathrooms easier to use, more accessible, and spell the end of the difficulties, embarrassment and discomfort many of us faced to this point.

I am immensely grateful to Morrisons, who engaged with me positively from the outset and have come good on their pledge. I hope other supermarkets and major public-facing businesses take heed of this excellent example.

Giovanni Cinque, marketing and campaigns manager at Colostomy UK said:

Our research shows that access to suitable toilets remains one of the biggest barriers to people living confidently with a stoma. Many tell us they carefully plan journeys, cut trips short, or only go out when absolutely necessary because they are unsure what facilities will be available.

Stoma friendly features such as a shelf, a bin for discreet disposal, hooks and a mirror may seem simple, but they make a real difference to comfort, dignity and peace of mind.

We welcome Morrisons’ commitment to introducing these changes in stores nationwide and thank them for listening to the stoma community and taking practical action to improve access.

The locations of all Morrisons stores and the availability of facilities will appear on Colostomy UK’s online listings of stoma-friendly toilet venues. This is a resource to make planning trips, outings, and daily activities easier by highlighting venues that offer practical, considerate facilities.

Featured image via Colostomy UK