Town's businesses fail to offer loos for public use

No businesses in Scarborough have offered to make their toilets available to the public despite concerns over a lack of conveniences in the town centre, councillors have been told.

Earlier this month, businesses in the heart of the seaside town such as cafes and pubs were asked to allow non-customers to use their toilets after it emerged there was currently no provision.

In exchange, North Yorkshire Council said it would offer those businesses "modest" financial support, signage and inclusion in promotional materials.

However, at a meeting on Wednesday, councillors heard that no businesses had come forward, something which Independent councillor Rich Maw said would leave visitors "dismayed".

The Community Toilet Initiative (CTI) had first been proposed by Scarborough Town Council, following a report presented to a full council meeting earlier in March.

The report said: "Such schemes are widely used by town and parish councils to improve access to toilet provision, particularly where there is limited direct control over public conveniences."

But at Wednesday's full meeting of the authority, North Yorkshire councillors were told it had been unable to convince any local businesses to work with it to provide a public toilet.

​According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Richard Foster, executive member for managing the environment, agreed there was a "gap in the provision".

"Officers have been working closely with businesses to get a community toilet in place, but have so far failed to negotiate one," he explained.

"So, maybe highlighting it today can bring forward a business that can help us with that."

Foster added there were further suggestions officers would bring forward for consideration, but a CTI would be the "easiest solution".

​"If any members know anybody who might be willing to negotiate something with us, please come forward to council officers," Foster said.

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