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."

Find us on social media

Join the conversation on our our Facebook page