Cloakroom

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Cloakroom

A cloakroom (also called a coatroom or checkroom) is a place where people hang and store outerwear such as coats, cloaks, hats, umbrellas, walking sticks, and other items when they enter a building. Cloakrooms are usually in large buildings like gyms, schools, churches, or meeting halls. In private homes, a hatstand does a similar job. In the UK, cloakroom can also mean a lavatory.

How it works

Cloakrooms are usually staffed by attendants. You typically receive a ticket or receipt that is attached to your item. When you reclaim your belongings, you show the ticket and pay any charges or tips. Some cloakrooms post signs listing fees or rules.

Where you’ll find them

- At large venues such as nightclubs, theatres, concert halls, restaurants, or museums.
- At railway stations and airports (especially in India, where left-luggage facilities are common).

India

In India, cloak rooms are available at major railway stations, with 24-hour staffed facilities at large stations. Smaller stations may have shorter hours. Passengers give their luggage to a clerk, who issues a receipt and stores the items on racks. The passenger returns with the receipt to reclaim the items and pay the charges. Airports also offer left-luggage facilities; prices vary by luggage size and time. A boarding pass and ID are usually required.

United States

In the United States, cloakrooms exist in Congress as private spaces where members can interact outside formal meeting rooms. Access is restricted to Senators, Representatives, Pages, and a few trusted staff members, and these rooms may have their own private phone numbers.

See also

- Coat closet
- Entryway
- Garderobe