Writing to Debenhams about men's changing room and no "women's"

[MummaMooMoo]

First time poster, long time reader! Fully prepared to be told I am being at least petty even if not unreasonable, but it's really irked me so after my daughter and I took a trip to Debenhams the other day, I emailed them. Here is the current thread:

Me::
Good afternoon,

I have visited your XlocationX store today, and have a concern.

I was with my daughter and we (specifically, she) needed to use the changing room. The floor we were on had no changing room I could see signposted, and the floor below predominantly sold men's clothes, and had a men's changing room, according to the sign. We went down another floor to access the ladies changing room, but there wasn't one. There was simply a "changing room". I am writing to request an explanation as to why men have exclusive use of a changing room despite women posing no threat to them, whilst women have no exclusive use, at all.

I would like to make it clear that my 6 year old pointed out to me the injustice of this. Discrimination isn't only visible to those who are looking for it. What do you suggest I tell her about why Debenhams treats it's male customers with greater regard than its female customers? This is a question for you as a company, not me as a parent.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

----them:

Dear XnameX,

Thank you for your email.

I am sorry the service you received in our XlocationX store did not meet your expectations. I am glad you brought this to our attention so we can resolve this for you.

I have called the store and spoken to XnameX today and arranged for them to contact you within 24 hours to resolve your query.

I appreciate your patience regarding this.

Kind regards,

XnameX
Debenhams Customer Services

----me:
Dear XnameX

Thank you for your response, though I would note that the service I received was excellent from the staff and my issue is with the changing room signage and exclusivity. However, I look forward to hearing from the store.

Can you confirm whether the preferential provision for a "men's changing room" but no women's is standard throughout Debenhams stores? I am not happy for a store to answer for themselves unless this is an isolated case, as the issue would then Debenhams policy, not [redacted] store.

If this is standard practice throughout stores or if you are not able to tell me whether it is, please forward my original e-mail on to relevant teams within Head Office, to address the matter.

Regards,

---

Thanks, ladies! ps no criticism on my letter-writing, I'm long past my GCSE English glory days

This post was edited by MNHQ to remove identifying information

Looking forward to see the store’s response. I wouldn’t like to be in a changing room with men. Ridiculous.

But how would that help out the Debenhams changing room issue we're talking about - that's not to do with official records or policies. Debenhams can organise their changing rooms however they wish. All we can do is vote with our feet.

"Debenhams can organise their changing rooms however they wish" - AKA devising an official policy to be followed in their stores.

By official I thought you meant something other than what private companies do. I wouldn’t describe Debenhams internal policies as official but I see you could do so - sorry.

So just to pick up on some points here.
In my experience mens changing is not monitored, there is rarely an attendant and they have a walk in walk out policy, they are usually less tidy. The main changing room (implied for womenswear) is usually staffed with attendants who check you in, give you a ticket and tidy up.

As for assaults and voyeurism, I accept there was an article about swimming and sports changing rooms where there have been issues, but I didn't think clothes changing was an issue in the UK. it would depends on the style and type of stalls they have and partitions between the rooms but if they are full walls then the only access for a voyeur is from the curtain/door and no one can just hang around the corridor bit and poke a camera under the door without being seen by attendants, so I don't think its a particular security risk.

If you want to talk about sexism in stores then why do the men have to go to the basement or top floor for our rack of pants?! whilst women have 2 floors!