'Spend a penny' idea for Weymouth shops (From Dorset Echo)

'Spend a penny' idea for Weymouth shops

9:10am Sunday 8th November 2009 in

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CUSTOMERS should be able to spend a penny in Weymouth shops, a councillor has suggested.

Culture and tourism spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Brendan Webster said businesses should be encouraged to provide toilets for patrons.

He spoke as the council’s management committee reviewed the authority’s public conveniences policy.

Coun Webster told a story about his wife who asked to use the toilet while visiting a local optician.

She was refused because ‘she wasn’t covered by insurance’.

Coun Webster added: “They came to some arrangement but the point is they should be able to do this all the time.”

Coun Christine James said she allowed people to use her seafront café loos but stressed the toilets need to be cleaned.

The committee heard that automatic counters are being placed in toilets to gauge how many people are using them.

The committee is recommending toilets at Littlemoor, Southill, Southwell, Wyke Regis and Church Ope Cove are disposed of. The council is asking businesses if they want to operate them. If not, they will close in a year.