THE GUV'NOR

John Ellis

The licensee of the Crown Inn, in Oakengates, Telford, says allowing the public to use pubs' toilets is fraught with difficulty

Just like everyone else who owns a pub, I want to provide the best service for my customers, who provide me with a livelihood.

As a businessman nearing the end of an expensive and extensive refurbishment,

I want to protect my investment.

I don't want any Thomas, Richard or Harriet just walking in and using my facilities without my say-so.

Consider the cost of letting all and sundry use my water, my soap, my toilet paper and my heating, causing damage, mess and incurring all the other sundry costs which would be involved, including the costs of cleaning and supervision.

Now, the Government is to encourage councils to adopt such a scheme.

That's right - encourage councils, not us. Do I hear

the sound of Big Brother's jack-boots approaching to "encourage" licensees?

I signed up to a (more expensive) licence in 2005, promising to uphold four licensing principles: prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; prevention of public nuisance; and protection of children from harm.

How can I ensure these conditions are upheld, if people have a "right" to use the toilets and come in and out constantly without using the bar?

How can I ensure children's safety? How do I monitor drug users or barred persons? If I let everyone use my toilets, I'm likely to breach my licence very quickly.

My business is running a public house - not a public toilet. I know we are encouraged to diversify to raise income, but £600 per year is just taking the p***. Even for £600 per week,

I would not be flushed with enthusiasm.

Next time you're in Winchester, try asking the British Toilet Association if you can use its premises. It'll be a struggle, because it doesn't publish an address - just a PO box number.