Shoppers are concerned that Primark's gender-neutral and female-only changing rooms are 'putting women at risk'.

Residents in High Wycombe have mixed feelings about the new changing facilities at their local branch.

The high street chain originally introduced mixed-gender changing cubicles back in 2019, but brought back female-only areas in 2022 after backlash. 

In October, the retailer said: “We will offer a dedicated fitting room area for women as well as a combined fitting room area which everyone can use.”

They added that the women-only changing area would not require identification and is open to all female-identifying people.

Primark also said it would also introduce longer curtains for the changing cubicles and a new mechanism to hold the curtains in place.

This came after female shoppers complained of experiencing harassment from men in gender-neutral changing areas.

Mixed feelings from High Wycombe shoppers

 

The Primark store in High Wycombe is one of the 187 stores across the UK that currently offers both unisex and women-only changing areas.

High Wycombe resident Kate McGregor-Knights suggested Primark stores should increase the privacy of their gender-neutral changing facilities.

She said: “How about they just put lockable doors on the cubicles?”

Meanwhile, Mel Vickers said she thought separate female and male-identifying changing rooms were a good idea.

Mel said: “If someone who was once a man wishes to change into a woman and vice versa, that’s fine with me but I don’t think men and women sharing is a good idea.”

However, Mo Smith expressed concern at the ‘female-identifying’ distinction.

He said: “Not just females, but if a man identifies as a woman then he can use it. As always, no real protection for women.”

Other local people thought the controversy surrounding Primark’s inclusive changing rooms was unnecessary.

Maria Busy said: “It’s strange this is at all controversial. Women and girls have the right to a safe space.”

Some, including Yasmin Moidin, thanked Primark for their decision to designate a changing area to women alongside the gender-neutral option.

A spokesperson from Primark said: "We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience when shopping in our stores.

"We now offer a choice of two different fitting room areas within our stores and we are also in the process of making changes to the individual cubicles."

They added that these changes were underway and will be rolled out to all UK stores by the spring.