Blackburn toilet attendant flushed with success

5:00pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in Blackburn

A TOILET attendant at The Mall in Blackburn is flushed with success after being named the best in the UK.

The Mall’s bathroom facilities were also stamped with a ‘platinum grading’ by the National Loo of the Year Awards.

The judging panel, which is widely regarded as the standard setters for ‘away from home’ facilities, said the shopping centre receached the highest grade possible.

Each entry is assessed against 100 judging criteria including signage and décor, fixtures and fittings and overall standards of cleanliness and management.

In January, judges from the outfit turned up unannounced to scour the centre, brandishing clipboards.

Now, after checking the facilities every 20 minutes each shift for the past five years, Peter Haddock has been honoured for his hard work.

The 64-year-old of Shear Brow said: “I’m really happy. It’s so nice to be appreciated for keeping the toilets clean.

“I often get people saying to me that these are the cleanest ones in the town and the only ones they’ll use.”

Mr Haddock was presented with his certificate by his manager, to a round of applause from his colleagues.

Working at the shopping centre for a total of eight years, Mr Haddock has become somewhat of a fixture.

He said: “It’s not as easy to do the job as you might think, you do need quite a strong stomach.

“I’ve had a bloke take over for me before, and he turned round to me and said he has no idea how I can do it.

“Generally people in Blackburn are quite neat and tidy, but sometimes you get one that makes an awful mess.”

The certificates for the facilities and their steward are now hung proudly in the facilities at The Mall.

Loraine Jones, general manager at the centre, said: “We are absolutely delighted.

“Peter works tirelessly to ensure that our toilets are spotless and he thoroughly deserves this accolade.”

Mike Bone, managing director of the awards, said: “The Mall achieved the highest possible grade and must be complimented on providing attractive, clean and hygienic facilities to meet the needs of all types of users.

“The cleaners are also to be congratulated and recognised for their contribution to the Mall toilets success."

Comments (18)

5:35pm Sun 10 Feb 13

M.DANNY says...

I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall.
With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland,
starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat
erstone,internationa
le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty.
I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall. With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland, starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat erstone,internationa le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty. M.DANNY

5:46pm Sun 10 Feb 13

2 for 5p says...

M.DANNY wrote:
I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall.
With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland,

starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat

erstone,internationa

le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty.
You do talk some twaddle don't you.
[quote][p][bold]M.DANNY[/bold] wrote: I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall. With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland, starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat erstone,internationa le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty.[/p][/quote]You do talk some twaddle don't you. 2 for 5p

5:51pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Pearl neclesse says...

All that need to happen is those who use these facilities wash their hands after they have parked their breakfast or flushed out their special brew..... Not all filth is visible!

Dirty barsturds!
All that need to happen is those who use these facilities wash their hands after they have parked their breakfast or flushed out their special brew..... Not all filth is visible! Dirty barsturds! Pearl neclesse

5:55pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Is Eckersley playing? says...

2 for 5p wrote:
M.DANNY wrote:
I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall.
With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland,


starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat


erstone,internationa


le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty.
You do talk some twaddle don't you.
What a bloody negative, ill judged rant. Can you not see this man should be commended by all who use the toilets in the Mall. Yet you choose to talk about the shops. Whats that got to do with this man doing a superb job? Give him a bit of praise, for Gods sake!
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]M.DANNY[/bold] wrote: I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall. With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland, starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat erstone,internationa le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty.[/p][/quote]You do talk some twaddle don't you.[/p][/quote]What a bloody negative, ill judged rant. Can you not see this man should be commended by all who use the toilets in the Mall. Yet you choose to talk about the shops. Whats that got to do with this man doing a superb job? Give him a bit of praise, for Gods sake! Is Eckersley playing?

6:21pm Sun 10 Feb 13

icannotrace says...

It's good to see people taking a pride in their work. It's about good work ethic which appears to be in short supply nowadays.
.
Well done Peter.
It's good to see people taking a pride in their work. It's about good work ethic which appears to be in short supply nowadays. . Well done Peter. icannotrace

6:22pm Sun 10 Feb 13

2 for 5p says...

He cleans the privy. Not exactly rocket sceince.
He cleans the privy. Not exactly rocket sceince. 2 for 5p

6:49pm Sun 10 Feb 13

juanbbien says...

2 for 5p wrote:
M.DANNY wrote:
I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall.
With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland,


starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat


erstone,internationa


le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty.
You do talk some twaddle don't you.
I'll second that
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]M.DANNY[/bold] wrote: I was talking to one the cleaners in the Mall about a week ago and the cleaner told me that there are still too many empty shop units in the Blackburn Mall. With HMV closing down and the Mall has not attracted many stores like jack&jones store,miss selfridge,poundland, starbucks,curry digital,krispie kreme,footlocker,wat erstone,internationa le,clas oholson,perfect home,disney store,poundland and many more.The cleaner told me i still prefer to go to Preston and Manchester because the mall hasn't got much to offer.I agree with the cleaner that i have to go Preston and Manchester because Mall Blackburn just didn't attract more stores to Blackburn.Whats having best cleaned loos when our shopping centre hasn't attracted more stores and there are still more shop units empty.[/p][/quote]You do talk some twaddle don't you.[/p][/quote]I'll second that juanbbien

6:53pm Sun 10 Feb 13

icannotrace says...

2 for 5p wrote:
He cleans the privy. Not exactly rocket sceince.
No it's not, Peter's just a everyday bloke doing a job providing a much needed service to the community, that no doubt some people would say they'd rather sit on the dole than do and doing it the best he can. I don't think I could do it (unless there was no alternative) but hope if I did I would take a pride in it. How much would the UK be a better place if more people actually took a pride in their work and everyone worked together rather than holding their hands out every 5 minutes and complain.
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: He cleans the privy. Not exactly rocket sceince.[/p][/quote]No it's not, Peter's just a everyday bloke doing a job providing a much needed service to the community, that no doubt some people would say they'd rather sit on the dole than do and doing it the best he can. I don't think I could do it (unless there was no alternative) but hope if I did I would take a pride in it. How much would the UK be a better place if more people actually took a pride in their work and everyone worked together rather than holding their hands out every 5 minutes and complain. icannotrace

6:59pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Pearl neclesse says...

" mummy mummy..can II lick around the bowl please"

" no dear, use the toilet brush like the rest of us"
" mummy mummy..can II lick around the bowl please" " no dear, use the toilet brush like the rest of us" Pearl neclesse

7:32pm Sun 10 Feb 13

sean_brfc says...

Whilst the mall toilets are good, the toilets in the market aren't the best.

M.Danny please stop repeating the ame old crap.
Whilst the mall toilets are good, the toilets in the market aren't the best. M.Danny please stop repeating the ame old crap. sean_brfc

8:21pm Sun 10 Feb 13

burner says...

Cheryl Tweedy would soon knock him into shape !
Cheryl Tweedy would soon knock him into shape ! burner

8:41pm Sun 10 Feb 13

M.DANNY says...

I would like to congratulate the cleaners for the accolade but a cleaner at the Mall did say i go to Preston and Manchester because the mall simply didn't attract more stores to Blackburn and there are too many shop units empty in the mall.
I agree with the cleaner i told the cleaner we go to Preston too because there are not the stores we were looking for in Blackburn.Loraine Jones did say the mall will attract more stores to Blackburn and the shops will be filled by December 2011.
Jack & jones ,miss selfridge,krispie kreme,waterstone,Int
ernacionale,footlock
er,perfect home,poundland,starb
uck,disney store,curry pc world,westcoast and many more are missing in the mall..
I would like to congratulate the cleaners for the accolade but a cleaner at the Mall did say i go to Preston and Manchester because the mall simply didn't attract more stores to Blackburn and there are too many shop units empty in the mall. I agree with the cleaner i told the cleaner we go to Preston too because there are not the stores we were looking for in Blackburn.Loraine Jones did say the mall will attract more stores to Blackburn and the shops will be filled by December 2011. Jack & jones ,miss selfridge,krispie kreme,waterstone,Int ernacionale,footlock er,perfect home,poundland,starb uck,disney store,curry pc world,westcoast and many more are missing in the mall.. M.DANNY

9:12pm Sun 10 Feb 13

M.DANNY says...

HMV as annouce that Blackburn store is to close but in Preston and Bolton they are to remain open.Blackburn always loose out to Preston and Blackburn.
Big name stores want to open stores in Bolton and Preston but not in Blackburn. Why ? They say Blackburn is small town not viable place to do business from a manager of well known store.
Retail capital in Lancashire is Preston so Blackburn does not attract more big name stores.
I went to Doncaster to see my relative and their shopping mall was opened in same year as Blackburn Mall but their Shopping Mall is completely filled with stores like class ohlson,disney stores,waterstones,j
ack&jones,miss selfridge,internacio
nale,Beaverbrooks,mo
nsoon,wilkinson and many more.
HMV as annouce that Blackburn store is to close but in Preston and Bolton they are to remain open.Blackburn always loose out to Preston and Blackburn. Big name stores want to open stores in Bolton and Preston but not in Blackburn. Why ? They say Blackburn is small town not viable place to do business from a manager of well known store. Retail capital in Lancashire is Preston so Blackburn does not attract more big name stores. I went to Doncaster to see my relative and their shopping mall was opened in same year as Blackburn Mall but their Shopping Mall is completely filled with stores like class ohlson,disney stores,waterstones,j ack&jones,miss selfridge,internacio nale,Beaverbrooks,mo nsoon,wilkinson and many more. M.DANNY

11:28pm Sun 10 Feb 13

fireonthemountain says...

Well - as I have said before ,
we NEVER go to Blackburn to shop .

You can only park in very unfriendly places .

You walk around watching out for
vermin . Druggies and muggers .

As if the population are interested in the likes of Waterstones and Disney .

Where are the quality shoe shops ?
Where are the quality sports shops?
Book shops , toy shops , stationers ,
Etc ?

Horrible horrible place .

10/10 for the loo cleaner by the way .

Incidentally the ASDA nearby is the worst on the planet .

Preston and Bolton are so superior
Manchester - magnificent .

And the Queens Park Hospital is also
repulsive .

Come to Darwen - much nicer place .
Well - as I have said before , we NEVER go to Blackburn to shop . You can only park in very unfriendly places . You walk around watching out for vermin . Druggies and muggers . As if the population are interested in the likes of Waterstones and Disney . Where are the quality shoe shops ? Where are the quality sports shops? Book shops , toy shops , stationers , Etc ? Horrible horrible place . 10/10 for the loo cleaner by the way . Incidentally the ASDA nearby is the worst on the planet . Preston and Bolton are so superior Manchester - magnificent . And the Queens Park Hospital is also repulsive . Come to Darwen - much nicer place . fireonthemountain

1:55am Mon 11 Feb 13

Fire Fly says...

Well done Peter!!

It's quite humbling to be honest to find someone in that line of work taking such pride.
Well done Peter!! It's quite humbling to be honest to find someone in that line of work taking such pride. Fire Fly

8:33am Mon 11 Feb 13

happycyclist says...

Some of us appreciate things like that and don't take them for granted. Well done, Peter, and thanks.
Some of us appreciate things like that and don't take them for granted. Well done, Peter, and thanks. happycyclist

4:21pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Major Tom says...

Maybe he can make a start on the rest of Blackbun with Darwin.
Maybe he can make a start on the rest of Blackbun with Darwin. Major Tom

7:44pm Mon 11 Feb 13

chammy says...

Its good having clean toilets but after all the money being spent on the mall its not the nice clean toilets people will come to Blackburn for
Its good having clean toilets but after all the money being spent on the mall its not the nice clean toilets people will come to Blackburn for chammy

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