Earn £350 by opening your toilets to the Richmond public

By The Editor 30th Jun 2020

Want to earn £350 and help someone spend a penny in the process?

Pubs and cafes are being encouraged by Richmond Council to open their toilets if they are serving takeaway food and drink.

It comes after a number of people have been left short when out meeting friends and family, and had to relieve themselves behind bushes.

Local businesses can receive £350 for three months (until the end of September) by joining the borough's Community Toilet Scheme, which highlights local businesses which enable non-paying customers to access their toilet facilities.

The council said there has been an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour including public urination, noise and littering.

Toilets in the borough's parks reopened last weekend as well as the facilities at the back of Whitton Library, with signage outlining hygiene and social distancing.

But users are reminded that while they are cleaned regularly, they are used at the individual's own risk.

The council said it has been working with police to minimise the impacts of off-sales and street drinking, and working with businesses in hotspot areas to ensure they are complying with current business restrictions.

No excuse to pee in public

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, chair of the council's environment and sustainability committee, said: "There is NO excuse to urinate in public.

"We know that many toilets are not available, however we are working hard to make sure that local businesses that are selling food and drink open their customer facilities.

"If you are selling takeaway refreshments – please be a responsible trader and make sure your toilets are available."

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While the council will be reopening its facilities in the parks, it will not be installing temporary portaloos at this time because "they are costly and require rigorous cleansing".

However, this is being kept under review.

Cllr Neden-Watts reminded residents and visitors to take responsibility for their actions and plan outings to ensure they will not be in the position of needing to go to the toilet where there are none available and risking a fine.

Businesses interested in joining the Community Toilet Scheme, particularly to help over the lockdown period – can apply by emailing [email protected].

Webinars for hospitality businesses

There will also be a series of webinars for the wider hospitality industry to remind them of the guidance, legislation and expectations of operating during the pandemic.

To attend, email: [email protected]