Plan afoot to pay pubs to let public spend a penny
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| Pooh-pooh the idea: Councillor Pat Ryan is concerned about council proposals to pay pubs in the borough to allow public to use their toilets as opposed to keeping public toilets open Deadlinepix CR17608 |
Pubs, bars and restaurants in the north of the borough are set to open up their toilets to anyone who needs to spend a penny.
Upper Norwood and the Crystal Palace have had no public toilets since WCs at the Phoenix Centre were shut.
Facilities at the bus garage were also out of order due to engineering works.
Residents and business owners have been pleading with Croydon Council to install a loo for many years and the Croydon Guardian has put its full support behind the campaign.
The idea of using businesses was suggested earlier this year. It will see local businesses displaying a toilet sign and receiving £600 a year from the council.
Council chief executive Jon Rouse announced plans to adopt the model, which he claims is nationally recognised and has been used by many local authorities.
In an email response to a resident's enquiry, Mr Rouse said: "This is a discretionary facility and no business would be legally required to lend their toilet. This model does offer a package of incentives such as maintenance support and discounted marketing."
| “It still leaves the area without any dedicated loos – my honest opinion is that they will not be able to get this off of the ground." | | Kathy Bonds |
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But residents and businesses remain guarded about the idea and say it will need to be constantly monitored if it is to work.
Manager of the Phoenix Community Centre, Kathy Bonds, said: "It still leaves the area without any dedicated loos - my honest opinion is that they will not be able to get this off of the ground.
"I think that even if some businesses have agreed to the scheme some will still be picky about who they let in."
Mr Rouse added: "As a council, Croydon is still looking at resources that will enable the provision of public conveniences across the borough.
"The model is a recommended solution when previous public facilities have proven to lead to antisocial behaviour as is the case of the Phoenix centre."
Upper Norwood businesses will be able to apply for a grant of up to £10,000, which may encourage them to make their toilets accessible.
It is understood that 10 businesses have daytime toilet facilities available to customers and currently one business, Cafe Nero, allows the public to use the facility.
11:17am Friday 21st March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Paul, Upper Norwood on 1:27pm Fri 21 Mar 08
Councillor Pat Ryan rides to the rescue! Where's your mate Councillor Tony Newman?
The pair of them always look as though they need the loo but can't find one. And who closed the remaing loos in Croydon Mr Newman.......
Councillor Pat Ryan rides to the rescue! Where's your mate Councillor Tony Newman?
The pair of them always look as though they need the loo but can't find one. And who closed the remaing loos in Croydon Mr Newman.......
Posted by: ANNE GILES, SELSDON on 3:19pm Fri 21 Mar 08
But the fact is that England has always been way behind the times. In the USA one can walk into any cafe, bar or restaurant and ask if one can use their "washroom". In Argentina this has always been normal practice. In Spain and over most of the Continent the same happens, although some places have notices saying the lavatories are only for customers. None of those countries encounter vandalism and the lavatories are always spotless. Yet here in the U.K., public lavatories are kept locked because of vandalism. All one needs to do is pay staff to look after them and maybe ask people to pay a few pence to go in. Again - some countries do that. It seems a shame that the Council have to pay businesses to providfe something which is a basic human need.
But the fact is that England has always been way behind the times. In the USA one can walk into any cafe, bar or restaurant and ask if one can use their "washroom". In Argentina this has always been normal practice. In Spain and over most of the Continent the same happens, although some places have notices saying the lavatories are only for customers. None of those countries encounter vandalism and the lavatories are always spotless. Yet here in the U.K., public lavatories are kept locked because of vandalism. All one needs to do is pay staff to look after them and maybe ask people to pay a few pence to go in. Again - some countries do that. It seems a shame that the Council have to pay businesses to providfe something which is a basic human need.
Posted by: Kes, Upper Norwood on 5:07pm Sun 23 Mar 08
Where was Labour councillor Pat Ryan when his party, ie Labour, were closing the public toilets? Someone correct me, if I'm wrong, but wasn't he the 'top knob' for a year under Labour? In those days I even wrote a letter to the Guardian, complaining that I had to pop over to Tory-controlled Bromley to find one open. Surely, like Gordon Brown, you don't think we're all mugs?
Where was Labour councillor Pat Ryan when his party, ie Labour, were closing the public toilets? Someone correct me, if I'm wrong, but wasn't he the 'top knob' for a year under Labour? In those days I even wrote a letter to the Guardian, complaining that I had to pop over to Tory-controlled Bromley to find one open. Surely, like Gordon Brown, you don't think we're all mugs?
Posted by: Bob Peel, Croydon on 10:58pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Is it true that Cllr Ryan, ex-POEU, has suggested that we should all be fitted with catheters to remove the need for loos?
Taking the p*ss, I hear you all say; but then again Messrs Ryan and Newman are past masters at it.
Is it true that Cllr Ryan, ex-POEU, has suggested that we should all be fitted with catheters to remove the need for loos?
Taking the p*ss, I hear you all say; but then again Messrs Ryan and Newman are past masters at it.
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