street+scene+-+bits+and+pieces+-+public+toilets+-+March+09

=**Can’t wait – won’t wait**= = =
 * -** **the Residents Federation renews demands for Haringey Council to set up a 'Community Toilets' scheme**

There is enormous support from the public for a Haringey 'Community Toilets' scheme - ie free public access to toilets in cafes, pubs, shops and public buildings throughout all areas of Haringey. Such schemes already exist in some London boroughs.

The Haringey Federation of Residents Associations and the Haringey Forum for Older People have lobbied together for this since December 2007. We were promised in November 2008 that the Council was preparing a report on the possible workings of such a scheme, but have heard nothing.

Meanwhile things are moving ahead on the issue around London - this week John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Borders, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, through the Greater London Authority, all announced their support for such a scheme and have already opened their facilities to the public in this way.

The lack of adequate public toilet facilities is no longer acceptable. We now expect immediate action to roll out a Haringey-wide scheme to make Community Toilet facilities available in every main road and area of the borough.


 * Greater London Authority:** Statement - March 18th 2009

**Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Tesco, M&S and Borders join Mayor’s scheme to increase access to toilets across London.**
High street giants Tesco, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Borders and Marks and Spencer have become the first companies to sign up to the Mayor of London’s Open London scheme which aims to increase public access to toilets in the capital.

Boris Johnson made a manifesto commitment to increase the quality of life in London for visitors and those who live and work in the city. There has been a 40 per cent decline in public toilets in the capital since 1999. The decline has particularly affected older Londoners and families with small children.

Open London will promote businesses that allow the public to use their facilities during opening hours without the need to make a purchase. John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Borders, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are the first companies to agree to join the scheme which will let even more people know that they are welcome to use their toilets if they need to.

The Mayor hopes that businesses across the capital will follow in their example, making it even easier for the public to find a toilet when they need one.

Boris Johnson said, ”I am delighted that some of this country’s biggest high street names are among the first to join my Open London scheme and I want to thank them on behalf of Londoners for allowing the public to use their toilets. I’m sure that the scheme will bring real benefits to the businesses thanks to the extra visitors it will bring to their premises. I know from speaking to older Londoners and families with kids that the decline in the number of public toilets can make a visit to the capital a frustrating experience. That’s why we are encouraging other businesses to follow their great example and sign up to Open London. Letting people know where they can use the toilet, and encouraging businesses to open their facilities to the public, will not only make the city a more civilised and pleasant place to live but also to visit.”

Richard Newman, manager of Sainsbury’s in Pimlico, said: “Visitors to our stores don’t have to pay a pound to spend a penny. We place great importance on providing anyone who visits our supermarkets with clean and accessible toilet facilities. It is our priority to make life as easy as possible for customers and the local community and by joining this scheme, we are underlining our commitment to this.”

James Wiggan, Corporate Affairs Manager – London at Tesco said: 'We are very pleased to be supporting the Mayor's initiative. It is always important to us to make people's lives that little bit easier. We are pleased to be able to allow members of the public to use our customer toilets, where they are available in our stores across London.'

Philip Downer, CEO of Borders UK, said: "A huge number of people of all ages, including families with young children, enjoy the long opening hours at our bookstores. As a result we are very happy to be part of this new initiative.”

Notes for editors:

1. John Lewis, Tesco, Borders, Sainsbury’s and M&S have agreed to sign up to the Open London Scheme which will advertise the fact that their customer toilets in the capital are open to the public during opening hours and can be used without the need to make a purchase. More details about the addresses of the stores which have toilets can be found on: www.london.gov.uk/openlondon 2. Many of the initial companies signing up to the scheme, including M&S, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, already allow non-customers to use their toilets. By joining the Open London they are agreeing to raise public awareness of the accessibility of their toilets, commit to continuing to allow non-customers to use their facilities and have their toilets listed on the Open London website. 3. The Mayor has written to the major businesses in London to encourage them to join the scheme. 4. The Open London scheme aims to attract businesses who currently don’t allow non-customers to use their facilities to follow in the example of these businesses and sign up to the scheme, thereby increasing access to toilets for everyone in London. 5. There has been a 40 per cent decline in London’s public toilets since 1999. London has seen the largest fall in the number of council run public toilets in the country – double the decline across the UK. There are nearly 400 public toilets in London or approximately one for every 18,000 Londoners.