Times are Changing

It has been many years since I have been to a swimming pool and clearly they have changed. A bit of research on Google revealed that it has now become common for UK swimming pools to require users to remove their shoes before entering the changing rooms. I understand this is common in Europe, but when I was younger it was practically unheard of in British swimming pools. You couldn't wear your shoes on the poolside, but you took them off in the changing room. Removing them before going in the changing room sounds much more sensible. Who wants to walk barefoot on a muddy floor?