Research into Public Toilets:

The Inclusive Design of ‘Away From Home (Public) Toilets in City Centres

by Jo-Anne Bichard, Bartlett School of Graduate Studies

Just before Christmas I had the pleasure of visiting Enfield to meet with members of the Over 50’s forum for a mornings chat about public toilets. It’s a subject that often raises a smile amongst people, yet nearly always gets them thinking about the problems associated with these essential facilities. One of the main problems I heard about was the closure of many of the toilets in the area. Unfortunately this is not a situation unique to Enfield, but is happening all over the country, especially in areas that border major cities.

The consequence of public toilet closures is that many people, especially older people, have to limit the amount of time they are out of the home. This can be especially problematic when people need too visit areas for essential shopping. Around the country people have told me how they take care about the amount of drinks they will have, sometimes dehydrating themselves, so that they won’t have to use the toilet. This is not only uncomfortable, but for some people can be a health risk.

Currently the government is trying to encourage us to use the car less, especially for those local trips to the shops. However, the government seem to have forgotten that the lack of toilet facilities, especially in locals areas such as Enfield, mean that people have to get where they are going and back quite quickly, often just so that they can use the loo. For older people who do not drive, the lack of toilets limits the distance of where they would like to visit, for some it may even stop them even leaving their home. Not only does this restrict people’s movement, and from doing things that they want, a matter of social justice, it also has an economic effect. Having to limit the amount of time you are in a shopping area because of the lack of toilets means you are also taking your purse or wallet home with you as well. Research in other countries has found that good, clean and safe public toilet facilities in main shopping areas increases business as it allows people more time to be in the area to browse and spend their money.

There are some detractors who argue that there are already enough toilets in public, such as those in pubs, cafes and restaurants. Yet the problem with this argument is that you often have to buy something, such as a drink, to use the toilet. This not only means you will spending much more then ‘a penny’, but also that you will probably need to use the toilet again at some point. For older people who may have to use the toilet more frequently, this could end up being quite expensive, and for those who may be on a limited income, just not possible. Equally, as many of our pubs are converted into bars catering to a younger crowed, older people, especially women, may feel too intimidated to go in to the bar, even to buy a drink just to use the toilets.

Our research, currently being conducted by University College London (UCL) is looking at the design, management and maintenance of ‘away from home’ toilets in UK cities. The term ‘away from home’ is being used to describe all of the toilets that people rely on when they are out and about, these include not only public facilities that are operated by local authorities, but also those to be found in restaurants, cafes, pubs, department stores, supermarkets and motorway service stations.

There is a wide range of problems people face when needing to use public toilets; these include problems finding toilets due to a lack of good signage, the poor condition of toilets and more importantly the closure of many public toilets around the country. For many people with disabilities, there may not be a toilet that is suitable for their needs, and in many cases where a disabled toilet has been provided, it is badly designed and fitted, and for many users is almost impossible to use. Many standard toilets are also badly designed, often being too small and lacking essential items such as toilet paper and soap.

Whilst the situation of toilet provision in the daytime is chronic, in the evening it is desperate. The research has heard from people who can no longer enjoy visiting their local theatre, as there is no toilet provision for them on the way home, especially at the public transport links that may provide toilets, but close them in the evening.

The lack of public toilet facilities is a situation that affects everyone, young and old, disabled and able, and across a wide range of faiths and beliefs. However it appears to be an essential service that has been forgotten by government, both local and national. Measures to encourage us to use the car less, attend evening classes, shop locally, to be more prominent in the evening economy, and more civically minded, appear to be doomed to failure without the essential provision of adequate and safe public toilets.

Jo-Anne would like to hear from anyone for whom the lack of toilet facilities is causing concern. In addition to the research and her PhD (on anti-social behaviour in public toilets), she is currently in the process of setting up a users network. This will hopefully bring together all the different groups around the country who are concerned about not only the closures of public toilets but also the failures of design and management of the facilities.

If you would like to make your views and experiences known to the research, or would like further information on the project please contact Jo-Anne Bichard at:

The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
(Torrington Place Site), UCL, Gower Street,
London, WC1E 6BT
Tel: 020 7679 8224
E-mail: j.bichard@ucl.ac.uk