Why pubs are offering their toilets for free
PA MediaPeople will be able to visit certain shops and restaurants and use the toilets without buying anything, under a new scheme.
A community toilet scheme has launched in Melksham, Wiltshire, in a bid to make the area more accessible and encourage more visitors to the town.
Town councillor Adrienne Westbrook first mooted the idea and said the town centre's public toilets were closed by Wiltshire Council in 2016, while those that remain open were often vandalised.
Al Richards runs Doubles, a pizza, coffee and record shop at the Avonside Enterprise Park, and has signed up for the scheme and said he was not concerned about potentially losing money by taking part.
"I don't think it makes a difference in the grand scheme of things. If you're open and welcoming to people, they come back. It's playing the longer game while also being supportive," he told BBC Wiltshire.
"For us, of course, you can use our toilets. Everyone can use our toilet. Especially for vulnerable people, I want everyone to feel welcome here."
Shari O'Shaughnessy, director of The Hiding Place micropub on the High Street, said she empathised with people's "frustrations".
She said: "When raising my boys, I would go into a pub or cafe asking to use the toilet only to be refused unless I bought something.
"I understand the frustrations of a lack of accessible toilets, which is why we are happy to help expand Melksham's network of free toilet facilities to everyone who needs to use them."
Which places are taking part in the community toilets scheme?
Melksham Town Council- ASDA Melksham Superstore, Bradford Road, SN12 8LQ
- Doubles, Coffee, Pizza & Records, Unit G2, Avonside Enterprise Park, SN12 8BT
- Avonside Wilts, Avonside Enterprise Park, SN12 8BT
- The Hiding Place, 15 High Street, SN12 8YJ
- Melksham Town Hall, Market Place, SN12 6ES
- Time to Stop, 4 Verbena Court, SN12 7GS
- Melksham Community Campus, Market Place, SN12 6ES
Why has this been introduced?
Melksham Town CouncilWestbrook said she had responded to people's concerns about the current state of some public toilets in the town.
"I passionately believe that as a community, there must be other ways of dealing with the lack of toilets issue," Westbrook said.
"Public toilets are misused and not treated with any respect by a small number of individuals. This often makes it a very unpleasant experience for the majority of residents.
"I was aware of this [community toilet] scheme and thought it must be a better alternative to the constant closure of toilets due to anti-social behaviour."
Sarah Cardy, CEO of Age UK Wiltshire, said the community toilet scheme would have a big impact on the older generation.
She told BBC Wiltshire: "Worrying about finding a toilet is something that can put people off leaving the house, and if they have mobility issues on top of that, it can be even more difficult.
"Having free, welcoming toilets dotted around town will really help older people stay independent and feel like they are still part of their community."
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