SPENDING a penny in Weymouth could soon cost 20 times that as plans are being considered to charge for using public toilets.

Fears are growing within the town’s tourism industry that a pilot scheme for a 20p fee could deter tourists and inconvenience tax-paying residents.

Today, the borough council’s management committee will vote on plans to test out the turnstile scheme due to be implemented in the toilets at the Swannery car park.

If successful, it could be rolled out across several other public conveniences in Weymouth and Portland.

Hoteliers, publicans and restaurateurs are among those who have condemned the pilot scheme, which they say will put tourists off returning to the town.

Pete Smith, the landlord of No 6 in King Street, said tourists are being ‘penalised’ for visiting the town.

He said: “Why can’t the fat cats at the council find other ways of funding?

“In an under-worked and over-paid council, why don’t they just streamline it down to save money and then people could use the town and enjoy themselves?

“One of the most off putting things in Weymouth is the cost of trying to park – it costs a fortune and it does feel like visitors are being penalised.

“People visiting the town are not going to remember the great meal they had or the lovely beaches.

“They are going to remember the parking ticket they got, the traffic queue they were stuck in, searching for the TIC and now rushing around trying to find 20p to use the toilet – it’s becoming a bit of a joke.”

Dave Price, chairman of the Weymouth Hotel and Guesthouse Leaseholders Association, said visitors already pay too much for parking.

He said: “This is really going to irritate tourists when they pay enough for car parking as it is.

“If they start charging for toilets, they’re just going to put people off the town.

“Especially when you have kids because when young kids need to go they need to go.”

Mr Price added he was worried it could result in people urinating in the streets and deter families from visiting the town.

He added: “The council need to decide if they want to keep Weymouth as a nice attractive family town or turn it into a stag and hen party attraction.”

Mark Poulton, who runs the Punch and Judy Show on Weymouth beach, described the move as ‘suicide’.

He said: “I understand revenue needs to be raised but I don’t think charging people is the right way to go about it.

“From a tourism point of view it is suicide.”

Barbara Howe, who started the petition to move the TIC back to the seafront, said 20p was just ‘too expensive’.

She said: “In the present financial climate we cannot really grumble about paying for toilets, but 20p is too expensive.

“I don’t think we are doing anything to encourage tourists.

“With the TIC move and now this, it’s not helping.”

Carly Churchill, who works at Sharkys in Weymouth, added: “It makes us look like money grabbers.”

However, Nigel Reed, Weymouth and Portland chamber of commerce president, said he did not think the charge would have a negative effect on tourists.

He said: “The reality is that we’re not unique for this idea.

“If the money is used directly to improve those toilets then that’s a good idea.”

Other local authorities in seaside towns along the South coast which charge for its public conveniences include Bournemouth and Poole with the cost ranging from 10p to 20p a time.

However, many other local authorities choose not to charge for public toilets including West Dorset District Council covering Bridport and Lyme Regis.