Businesses to open up toilets to tourists

Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership
TOURISTS may soon be able to spend a penny in many more locations thanks to a pioneering public toilet project being piloted in Saddleworth.

The Community Toilet Scheme (CTS) is a partnership between Oldham Council and local businesses to provide cleaner, safer and more accessible facilities in more convenient locations.

The scheme involves shops, cafes and restaurants making their toilets available to non-customers in exchange for a small annual payment from the council for cleaning and maintenance.

Similar schemes in other towns and cities has seen tourism increase as visitors feel more comfortable and visit businesses that they may otherwise have passed by.

Around 30 businesses have put themselves forward for inclusion in the CTS and suitability studies are now being carried out.

A sticker to let customers know which premises are involved and what facilities they offer — such as baby changing and disabled access — will be used and mystery shoppers will test the scheme’s success.

Peter Rafferty, the council’s street scene manager, said: “The current provision of public conveniences is inadequate with many sites vandalised and in poor condition, leaving some areas without suitable facilities.

“It can be very expensive to repair and retain public toilets so this seems to be the best solution.”