Many coffee shops are now saying “no” to letting non-customers use their toilets, causing frustration for people who need them urgently, like pregnant women, parents, and those with medical conditions. BBC reports that cafés near busy places, like LoveFit Café in Brighton, used to let anyone use their toilets, but it became a nightmare. Owner Jason Bright shared how homeless individuals misused the space, turning it into a place for drug use or sleeping, which led to abuse. Now, his café only allows paying customers, with some exceptions for children and the elderly.

Across the UK, many popular chains, like Costa and Pret a Manger, have locked their loos for non-customers, often using keypad codes on receipts. Starbucks in the U.S. even reversed its open-door policy. According to BBC, people like Ellen, whose dad had a kidney transplant, feel frustrated when even medical reasons don’t convince staff to allow access. She pointed out how spending £4 for coffee just to use the bathroom is unrealistic.

Some coffee shops, like 200 Degrees in Nottingham, take a more welcoming approach. Their director, Will Kenney, told BBC that letting anyone use their toilets might even boost sales, as people often feel obligated to buy something. However, providing toilets isn’t cheap, with costs for cleaning, redecorating, and supplies adding up. Still, Kenney says no one wants to act as “toilet police.”

The real issue, as BBC highlights, is the lack of public toilets. The British Toilet Association (BTA) says the number of public restrooms in the UK has dropped dramatically, with fewer than 4,000 available now. Local councils, short on money, often shut these facilities, leaving coffee shops and businesses to fill the gap. Some councils tried partnering with cafés to allow public use, but these arrangements often fail because the demand overwhelms the businesses.

Raymond Martin of the BTA told BBC that relying on private businesses for public restroom needs isn’t a long-term solution. He stressed that it’s about “public decency” and preventing issues like people using outdoor spaces in desperation. Martin believes it’s the government’s job to fund enough public toilets to meet the needs of a growing population.

Local authorities agree but say they need more long-term funding from the government to restore and maintain public facilities.

Without this, the problem is likely to continue, leaving people frustrated and businesses struggling to manage.

Credit : BBC

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj48571qq7vo

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