Pubs urged to let public use toilets

Pubs are being encouraged to let non-paying customers into their premises to use the toilet, after the success of a pilot scheme.

The council in Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey has been paying pubs £600 a year to open their facilities to the public under its Community Toilet Scheme (CTS).

Pubs involved with the scheme have been placing stickers in their window which lets passers by know that the licensee is happy to let them use their toilets.

Licensees can refuse admission, but those taking part have found the scheme has worked in terms of bringing new people into the pub - many of whom spend money.

Frank Dupree, from the Cabbage Patch in Twickenham said: "I think some people have come in who wouldn't have done normally, and they might come back after seeing the pub.

"I'd recommended it to other licensees, it's generally brought in very normal people who have been caught short."

The scheme has also attracted praise from the British Toilet Association, which is keen to see it become nationwide initiative.

Director Richard Chisnell said: "It's the British psyche to feel uncomfortable about going into a place you wouldn't normally go in and ask something embarrassing.

"This scheme solves that problem. It helps pubs, it helps satisfy people's needs and it helps to keep the streets clean."

The CTS trial period has been extended in Richmond, and Lisa Sharp, the business partnership manager with Richmond council who headed the scheme, claimed a large number of pubs in the area are keen to get involved.

"A lot of them have been doing it informally anyway, and they see the CTS as a way to serve the community," she said. "Pubs who are trying to attract people into their premises have found it a great way to attract new customers."