• Swindon & Wiltshire Innovation
• Thursday March 21 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Female festival-goers prepare for a summer of shorter toilet queues

Female festival-goers are preparing for a summer of shorter toilet queues, as Bristol-based Peequal rolls out its women’s urinals at Glastonbury and 29 other festivals.

Glastonbury, Wilderness and WOMAD are among the festivals to book the innovative ‘squat and go’ womxn facilities – while the toilets will get a sporting event debut at the London Marathon.

The urinals were invented by founders Hazel McShane, 26, and Amber Probyn, 25, when they were studying at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The urinal formed their final-year project.

“When we went to festivals, Hazel and I had to decide between joining a ridiculously long toilet queue or getting food,” said Amber.

“Now that women’s urinals are a normal part of festival life, we no longer have to choose.”

Hazel added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had from women wherever we go.

“Changing engrained habits can be hard, but women gave us a chance. Without so many supporting the product we would be in a different place. It takes an army to make a change.

“We’re really proud that women’s urinals are now a permanent fixture at UK events. Peequal has enabled thousands of women to experience a freeing, peeing experience. Shorter queues are here to stay!”

Peequal women’s urinals

Womxn urinals attracted half a million pounds in investment

Since launching in 2021 the company has raised £500,000 in investment and received £50,000 in grants, and picked up multiple awards.

Hazel and Amber have also learnt to drive forklift trucks and to weld as they built Peequal into a business that has seen investment from the likes of Tom Blomfield, the founder of Monzo, and Sarah Jones, the former chief operating officer of Gü Pud.

Mark Neild, who runs the Bristol University’s student start-up incubator Runway, said: “Hazel and Amber’s success underscores the power young people have to change the world for the better when passion meets process.

“My hope is that they will continue to inspire other female founders to take the leap.”

Pictured: Hazel McShane (left) and Amber Probyn with one of their urinals