In fact you'd be hard-pressed to find a public toilet anywhere in the city centre. If I need a toilet, I know of just one council-provided one - in the city hall. Otherwise my only option is commercial premises - like Marks and Spencer or a coffee shop. Or maybe a hotel.
There are lots of people with medical issues that call for rapid access to a toilet, but they must have kittens trying to find one.
Lots of councils have closed their public toilets to save money - and maybe because they're often used for drug-dealing.
Raymond Martin, Director of the British Toilet Association (yes, really) is trying to reverse this trend and persuade councils to reopen toilets they've closed, or even open new ones. I'm not sure he'll get very far in the current economic climate, but he's plugging away nonetheless.
He's also touring the country inspecting public toilets and giving them a star rating. The best ones (smart, hygienic, accessible etc) get five stars, the worst one star (if they're lucky).
With thousands of people pouring into Belfast from cruise ships, I would have thought there's an urgent need for more public toilets, but clearly Belfast Council is unconvinced.
My suggestion would be for everyone to use the front steps of the city hall for relief. This would probably motivate officials to make adequate proper facilities available.
ReplyDeleteInfidel: Unfortunately that would probably lead to an arrest for indecent behaviour.
DeleteIt’s always been hard to find public toilets here. You really just have to use one at a retail establishment. I hate using gas station ones on trips, so I will sometimes use one in a hotel lobby.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I sneaked into a hotel lobby when I had the urge during our Manchester trip.
DeleteBritish Toilet Association! This is funny! At least to me. It does seem odd that in a place where there is a continuous flow, pardon the pun, there would be public bathrooms.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Do you mean it seems odd that there would NOT be public bathrooms?
DeleteYes. Sorry I wrote that wrong.
DeleteSandra: No worries!
DeleteAs a tourist I was surprised to learn that some countries charge a fee to use public toilets. Those countries do tend to have attendants who keep things tidy, though. Here in Minnesota, the only public toilets are in parks and not all parks have them. I often stopped at McDonald's to use a toilet then bought a soft drink as a thank you.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: Some toilets in Britain are free, some charge a small fee. Not many have attendants these days, a lot have been phased out to save money.
DeleteThere are all kinds of places with public toilets here. In hotels, rest stops, parks, fast food places, even the grocery stores have them.
ReplyDeleteMary: Yes, businesses often allow the public to use their toilets but not always.
DeleteWhen we traveled in Tuscany last year, there were restrooms and a fee was charged. Good to know that we may need to seek hotel and.or restaurants if we ever visit Belfast. And, it does seem rather short-sighted of city government not to provide such facilities for everyone.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: I don't think people should have to rely on retail businesses. And some toilets in businesses have combination locks on them.
DeleteHa! The "(yes, really)" made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. It's the british high street - everything closing up, everything online, everything you-have-to-pay, everything goodbye. :/
Liam: A somewhat cynical view but unfortunately a fairly accurate one!
DeletePublic toilets are grim, aren't they? Needed, but grim. I eat salty crisps if I'm going anywhere to ebb the flow.
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Eating salty crisps before you go out, that's a smart idea.
DeleteNick, I can control qzite well my bladder and will NEVER go to a public toilet. Dirty, stinking , just horrible. If there is a real urge I will ask in a coffee shop or restaurant. Never had a problem and in Berlin these places are in general really clean.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: I agree, some public toilets can be so disgusting I'm reluctant to use them, but if the need is urgent.... Good to know Berlin toilets are generally clean.
DeleteWhen i leave Sydney, there seem to be toilets everywhere: in parks, roadside rest stops, petrol stations. It's always possible to find one. But if i'm out and about close to home, I nearly always have to come home to use the loo.
ReplyDeleteI think we have different expectations when we know the options are limited
Kylie: Strange that there are plenty of toilets outside the city but not in the city itself. You'd expect it to be the other way round.
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