Do Cafes Have A Duty To Provide Public Restroom Access? – CoffeeTalk

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LoveFit Café in Brighton, UK, used to have a “no loo for non-customers” policy, but it was a disaster as homeless people would lock themselves in there for long periods of time. Owner Jason Bright now has a customer-only policy, although he does make exceptions for the elderly or young children. Many places have a “no loo for non-customers” rule, and some are finding stricter ways to enforce it. Starbucks recently reversed its open-door policy in the US, prompting a new look at how welcoming our High Streets full of coffee shops are, when it comes to people who want to spend a penny, without splashing out on lattes and buns.

In the UK, Starbucks will still let non-customers in, but many rivals, including Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Waterstones, and a large number of independent shops, are limiting who can use their loos. Some even say no to people with medical conditions, says Ellen, 27. “I don’t really fancy paying that,” she says. “Coffees are like £4, I don’t really fancy paying that to go in and use the toilet.”

Gemma Wardle thinks that should be the general practice. She set up the popular TikTok account Loos of London, highlighting places for when you’re caught short. She would like to see more public toilets, but doesn’t see why businesses can’t help. Shops and cafés should be doing their best to improve the toilet experience for all users, not trying to make it harder.”

Many other social media accounts and apps exist to help you navigate finding a bathroom when you’re out and about, including accessible toilets that people with disabilities can unlock with a Radar key. One coffee shop that is happy for anyone to use their toilets is 200 Degrees, a chain based in Nottingham owned by Caffe Nero, with 22 shops across the Midlands and the North of England. Commercial director Will Kenney thinks on balance it is probably good for business to let non-customers in.

However, providing toilets isn’t free. As well as more cleaning, there are increased redecorating costs, as well as the obvious extra toilet roll, soap, and paper towels. Raymond Martin, managing director of the British Toilet Association (BTA), says that, at under 4,000, we still have less than a third of the number he estimates a growing and ageing population needs.

Some local authorities have leapt on what seems to be the perfect solution: to subsidise local cafes and shops to share their facilities. In many parts of the country, stickers can be seen advertising that non-customers are welcome to come in for the toilet. However, the schemes often break down, as local authorities see it as an opportunity to save money. Private providers often withdraw and put a lock on their loo door.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for longer-term funding pledges from central government that would allow authorities to plan the transformation, rather than the closure, of facilities and even restore lost conveniences.

Read More @ BBC

Source: Coffee Talk

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