// Primark to review policy of having unisex fitting rooms after two men walked in on a woman while she was changing
// Primark revealed earlier this year it would no longer have separate male and female changing rooms
Primark has launched a review into its policy of having unisex fitting rooms after a woman complained of two men walking in on her while she was changing.
A TikTok video was posted by Charlotte Kirby, who said that two different men pulled back the curtain in separate incidents while she was trying on clothes at the Cambridge store.
Primark revealed earlier this year it would no longer have separate male and female changing rooms in any of its stores.
The retailer said this would allow all customers to try on clothes in individual cubicles alongside one another.
Kirby said she “loves” the idea of gender-neutral changing rooms because it makes everyone feel included.
“But twice men opened the curtain and walked in on me. Luckily, both times I was wearing clothes but I could easily not have been,” she said.
@charlottemkirby Please be aware/spread the word and stay safe girls. Don’t go in changing rooms alone. This never even crossed my mind when I went into a unisex changing room. Thank you @primark for dealing with this so well. I know worst things could have happened but I still feel very shaken up.
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“It was two different people but they were clearly from the same group. There was so many changing rooms available so it’s not like they just were checking if someone was in there or not.
“The first time, the man just walked in and the second time he said before ‘have you tried it on? Can I see?’ and then he did it [opened the curtain].
“Both times I was so shocked and I said ‘oh, sorry’ as if it was my fault.
“I just want to say to everyone to please be careful. And if you are going in a changing room, don’t go in on your own. I know I will never be doing that again.”
Kirby told Primark staff what had happened and they walked her back to her car as she did not feel safe.
She also added that the staff told her it was not the first time it had happened.
The changing rooms in the Cambridge store are separated by walls and enclosed with a curtain that can be secured with a hook and an eyelet.
If customers are uncomfortable changing in a unisex room, Primark said they could speak to a member of staff who could direct them to an “easy access” fitting room, which has a lockable door.
Primark responded by saying: “We are really sorry to hear of this customer’s experience. It shouldn’t have happened and we’re urgently investigating.
“We are currently reviewing our approach to fitting rooms in our stores to ensure these are always safe and inclusive spaces for everyone.”
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