Businesses urged to open their toilets to the public

Businesses that sign up to the pilot scheme will allow members of the public to use their facilities during opening hours. Participating businesses will display the scheme logo prominently and will receive an annual payment of up to £1,200, depending on the level of provision provided.

The Council allocated £10,000 to pilot the Community Toilet Scheme as part of the 2012/13 budget. The scheme is based on guidance issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) called 'Improving public access to toilets - guidance on community toilet schemes'.

Businesses who sign up to the scheme must keep their toilets safe, hygienic, easily accessible and well stocked. The service must be made available for free and with no expectation that users will purchase goods or services. As part of the pilot scheme, the Council will list all participating businesses on its website, as well as details of all public toilet provision across the District.

Cllr Diane Todd, Cannock Chase Council Town Centre Regeneration Leader (pictured), said: "The Council wants to improve public access to toilets for the whole community. However, we particularly have in mind elderly residents or those with health needs. Better access to public toilets will improve their independence and we hope that a wide range of businesses and organisations from across the District will sign up."

WANT TO SIGN YOUR BUSINESS UP?

Applications to take part in the scheme should be made in writing and sent to:

Glenn Watson, Economic Development Manager, Cannock Chase Council, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11 1BT. Applications must set out:

• Name and address of business
• Description of toilet facilities that will be made available to the public
• Opening hours
• Estimated start date for participation
• Level of annual payment that will be claimed
• Contact details
  

Businesses interested in signing up to the Council's Community Toilet Scheme must:

• Be based in Cannock Chase District
• Keep toilet facilities clean and presentable for public use
• Display the Community Toilet Scheme logo at the front of their premises
• Provide access to their toilets for the public during their opening hours
• Have public liability insurance
• Have their facilities inspected by the Council's Environmental Health department (if they're not a food business, who are inspected regularly anyway)
• Agree for their premises to be identified as a member of the scheme on the Council's website and promotional material

Businesses who sign up to the scheme will receive the following annual payments for providing different levels of facility:

• Male and female toilets (separate) on ground floor: £200
• Wheelchair-accessible toilet (male/female) with rails: £500
• Toilets with baby change facilities: £250
• Toilets with adult change facilities: £250