Pram shelters are an underutilised feature in public buildings, such as libraries, hospitals, and government facilities. They are a type of street furniture that is often ignored and not included in plans, but can serve as a practical and considerate addition that enhances accessibility and convenience for parents. These shelters provide safe, organised, and weather-protected areas for parents and caregivers to store prams and buggies, easing the often stressful task of navigating public spaces with young children.
Why Pram Shelters Are Important
As anyone who is a parent or a caregiver knows, life doesn’t slow down, and errands don’t stop after having kids; if anything, quite the opposite is true. Public buildings are frequently visited by parents who may need to bring young children along. Providing a dedicated pram shelter gives them a safe, convenient space to park strollers, avoiding the need to carry them indoors or worry about leaving them exposed outside. This frees up valuable space in entryways, reduces clutter in building interiors, and ensures smoother movement for all visitors. In high-traffic areas like libraries and hospitals, pram shelters allow for a tidier, more organised entrance, improving overall accessibility for everyone.
Benefits of Pram Shelters for Public Buildings
For public buildings, the addition of pushchair shelters extends beyond simply accommodating parents—it actively enhances the functionality of these spaces for all visitors and creates a more welcoming environment. This small yet thoughtful feature not only supports families but also helps institutions operate more efficiently and in a user-friendly way.
Improve Visitor Convenience
Buggy shelters create a less stressful experience for parents, allowing them to choose whether to use their pram indoors or leave it at the door and enter and exit freely without managing a bulky stroller. In buildings where parents may need to browse, consult, wait, or navigate tighter spaces, such as libraries or hospitals, many may prefer to leave their pram behind. Ideally, as with any other personal property, everyone would like to leave it somewhere where it wouldn’t be in the way and it wouldn’t be stolen. Having a secure place to park prams offers much-needed convenience for parents who are often in a rush and appreciate any help they can get.
Enhance Safety and Security
By designating a specific area for prams, public buildings can minimise overcrowding in entrances and aisles, reducing risks associated with blocking walkways. When prams are left scattered in hallways, near entrances, or in waiting areas, they can quickly become obstacles that compromise the safety and flow of a building. By designating a dedicated pram shelter, public facilities create a more structured environment where walkways remain clear and accessible. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents, such as trips or collisions, which can be especially concerning in hospitals, government offices, or other high-traffic environments, and is particularly important in the event of an emergency and the need to evacuate the building. A well-placed pram shelter also benefits vulnerable groups, including older people, people with disabilities, and those using mobility aids, by ensuring that entrances and aisles remain unobstructed.
Beyond physical safety, designated shelters add a level of security for parents, giving them peace of mind that their prams and belongings are less likely to be misplaced or tampered with when left in an organised, sheltered space. For facilities managers, this thoughtful solution not only enhances visitor safety but also reduces liability risks associated with overcrowding or poorly managed storage.
Protect Against Weather
Having a buggy shelter is particularly valuable in public buildings where there is no indoor space for storage, as one of the most practical sides of providing a pram shelter is that it protects against the elements. Rain, snow, wind, and strong sun can all contribute to the wear and tear of prams and buggies, making them unusable if they’re soaking wet and creating an inconvenience for parents. A dedicated weatherproof shelter shields equipment from these conditions, ensuring that families return to clean, dry, and safe prams after their visit.
From a facilities management perspective, pram shelters also help maintain cleaner interiors by preventing wet or muddy wheels from tracking dirt inside. In climates with frequent rain or snow, this can reduce cleaning requirements and contribute to a more pleasant environment for all visitors.
Encourage Family Engagement
Installing pram shelters sends a clear message that public buildings are family-friendly and accessible. This may seem like a small gain, but encouraging more parents to bring their children to places like libraries, museums, or community centres is an important part of making buildings more accessible for a wider range of people. This inclusivity can foster a more engaged, family-oriented community and encourage regular visits from parents with young children, whether it’s a library for storytime, a museum for educational activities, or a community centre for events and programs.
By accommodating the needs of parents with young children, buildings can expand their audience and participation in programs and services. Additionally, creating an environment where families feel safe, valued, and considered can improve overall visitor satisfaction and loyalty, thereby reinforcing the building’s reputation as a community-friendly space. For facilities managers, supporting family engagement through practical solutions like pram shelters is a cost-effective way to increase accessibility and community involvement.
Reduce Clutter in Interior Spaces
Organising pram storage outside or at building entrances reduces interior clutter, creating a more pleasant and navigable environment for all visitors. Especially in hospitals or busy government buildings, this helps keep hallways clear, enhancing the overall visitor experience and minimising potential disruptions in these bustling environments.
Pram shelters are far more than a convenience—they are an investment in accessibility, safety, and long-term building care. By offering parents a secure and weather-protected space for prams, public buildings can reduce clutter, improve visitor flow, and create a more welcoming environment for families. At the same time, they help preserve entrances and interior spaces, lowering maintenance demands. For libraries, hospitals, government facilities, and other high-traffic community spaces, pram shelters represent a simple yet powerful way to demonstrate inclusivity and ensure that buildings remain functional and family-friendly.