Better access to public loos scheme launched

Better access to public loos scheme launched

28 November 2008

Businesses in Lambeth are to be given up to £1,000 a year to open their toilets to the public, in a scheme designed to give people better access to public loos.

The new Community Toilet Scheme is being launched by Lambeth Council this month and is part of a council plan to make sure no-one has to walk more than 500 metres to find a toilet in town centres in Lambeth by 2010.

Under the scheme, shops, restaurants and other businesses are being given up to £1,000 a year to open their toilets to members of the public, who won’t have to make a purchase to use their facilities.

Businesses participating in the scheme display signs in their windows so town centre visitors can clearly identify that their toilets are open for public use.

The cash is designed to help towards maintaining the toilets to a decent standard, and they will be regularly inspected to ensure that standards are maintained and that grants are being spent effectively.

The scheme has the support of South London Citizens, which campaigns for better access to public toilets across the capital

25 businesses have so far signed up to the scheme.

Leon Rothera, owner of Honest Foods in Coldharbour Lane, was one of the first businesses in Lambeth to sign up.

He said: "We really feel part of Brixton and part of the community here, and this scheme should help the area and make it more attractive to shoppers and visitors so we were very happy to get involved.

"Obviously there was a little financial incentive to take part, and the extra money can only help a business like ours, but to be honest that wasn't the main the reason we signed up. It's about doing our bit as a business to help support the development of Brixton and make the place a little better.

Cllr Nigel Haselden, Deputy Cabinet member for Sustainability on Lambeth Council, met with Leon at Honest Foods this week, along with Rev. Stephen Sichel, from St Matthews Church, and Cynthia Delahaye from South London Citizens, which supports the scheme.

Cllr Haselden said: "People have the right to expect access to decent toilet facilities when they visit town centres and this scheme offers more toilets of a high standard to the public. I will be encouraging other businesses to follow the example of Leon and Honest Foods, and sign up, because by working with local businesses to make more clean, safe and accessible toilets available for the public, we can benefit shoppers, businesses and the community alike."

Businesses so far part of the scheme:

Brixton

Honest Foods - 424 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton

The Dogstar - 389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton

Southside Bar -144 Brixton Hill, Brixton

McDonalds - 518-522 Brixton Road, Brixton

Clapham

Revolution - 95-97 Clapham High Street, Clapham

Streatham

Aroma Café - 64 Streatham Hill, Streatham

Kente Coffee House -126 Streatham High Road, Streatham

Bar 61 - 61A Streatham Hill, Streatham

Astoria Restaurant - 5 Astoria Parade, Streatham

Bedford Park - 223 Streatham High Road, Streatham

McDonalds - 2-22 Streatham Place, Streatham

Stockwell

Berlengas - 176A Wandsworth Road, Stockwell

Machico Tapas Bar -133 South Lambeth Road, Stockwell

Kennington

Toni’s Café - 344 Kennington Road, Kennington

Doghouse - 293 Kennington Road, Kennington

Oval Tandoori - 64A-66 Brixton Road, Kennington

Vauxhall

Nolans - 33 Wilcox Road, Vauxhall

The Nott - 257 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall

Waterloo

Cubana Café - 48 Lower Marsh, Waterloo

Crown & Cushion - 133-135 Westminster Bridge Road, Waterloo

The Hole in the Wall - 5 Mepham Street, Waterloo

Walrus Social - 172 Westminster Bridge Road, Waterloo

West Norwood

Elmina - 463 Norwood Road, West Norwood

Ela’s Café - 93 Norwood High Street, West Norwood

Little Rock Café - 130 Norwood High Street, West Norwood