Where do you stop when trying to cut spending? Well, it appears that your dignity may be compromised by one council's attempting to stem their outgoings. Mancunians; your public conveniences are threatened.
Manchester City Council has made the decision to close 18 out of their 19 public toilets. It doesn't come as a surprise, as it proves an easy option to save money. Rather than cutting something related to education or healthcare, which may face greater opposition, it is unlikely many will protest against such a loss.
But, with the lack of toilets in the city, where will people go to relieve themselves? It may sound a strange thing to ask, but for many a very good question. It isn't always an easy problem to solve - you're usually on the go when caught short and looking for a toilet.
Many pubs and restaurants offer toilets as part of their provision to customers, but what right does a passer-by have to use these conveniences? A large amount of people are timid about walking in just to use the toilets, especially women and elderly people. For instance, will the management order you out, if they find you are not buying anything?
Happily, there are some retailers and food chains that will welcome you in. John Lewis, has 28 stores around the country and say that their toilets are both for customers and non-customers. There is the obvious added bonus to the company that you will have to pass plenty of their goods, hopefully enticing you to buy them once you've been to the toilet.
J D Wetherspoons say: "If someone walked into the toilet, didn't buy a drink and walked out we wouldn't go chasing after them,". Generally, KFC, Burger King and McDonalds have said the same thing - they won't be chasing you out, although they don't encourage it.
The Independent states that the availability of public toilets 'is the hallmark of a civilised society and one that treats people, including visitors, with dignity.' So are we creating an environment where people, both local and non-local do not feel dignified? It's true, it is rather embarrassing if you have to go on a search for a toilet, especially nipping in somewhere you know you probably shouldn't be going. Visitors may also take away a bad impression and pass it on.
Even so, it's unlikely to stop Manchester City Council. Unfortunately for the public toilet, it has declined from the Victorian hey-day to the modern day abuse of vandals. Public conveniences will not be restored anytime soon, and more will disappear in the future - with their upkeep proving an expense local councils can no longer support.
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