When you’re out and about this bank holiday weekend, what are the chances that you, your young ones or the elderly folk in your family get caught short?
It’s happened to all of us – I’m not immune! Which is why opening public loos across the city – 14 so far – is so important.
One of the first meetings I attended when I first signed up to stand as a councillor was on the topic of public health and the availability of public loos was discussed at length.
We talked about young mothers needing a place to take their kids when they were desperate, about elderly people who may be put off venturing into town at all, simply through the lack of available facilities, and about those with dietary issues.
And that’s not to mention the rest of us – locals and tourists – who are all grateful at one time or another for having a public loo nearby when the need arises.
I remember thinking then that actually this is the stuff that really matters to our residents – it might sound glib or trivial but, actually, it’s far from it.
It can really affect people’s lives, encouraging residents and visitors to get outside, stay active and enjoy greater independence.
The loos in our parks particularly help to support sports and other outdoor activities that are so important for wellbeing.
Which is why I’m proud that our administration has funded the reopening of so many public toilets citywide in the past three years.
But it’s not a cheap undertaking and it’s our responsibility to analyse the cost and work out how to fund it. That’s why, when we were setting the budget earlier this year, we looked at the possibility of charging.
As ward councillor for Regency – which has loos at the West Pier and below Shelter Hall – I know this wasn’t popular.
I received a lot of emails about it, especially from local businesses at beach level – for whom keeping public loos free was an important decision because it spares them the awkwardness of having to turn away folk who are not customers but who are desperate to (as we oldies used to say) spend a penny.
That doesn’t mean to say we shouldn’t have considered all the options – it would have been irresponsible not to – but we thought your taxpayer money was well spent on these facilities. I think we made the right decision. What do you think?
The 14th loo to be opened under this administration was last week in Victoria Rec in Portslade. And if you’re at a loose end tomorrow (Monday 4 May), do head along and join Councillor Alan Robins and the Friends of Victoria Park, who are hosting a community‑led reopening celebration from noon.
Everyone is welcome to attend and join a workshop, take part in games, listen to the choir, bring a picnic (and your waterproofs) and join in the fun.
And next time you’re caught short and find yourself nipping into one of our reopened conveniences, spare a thought as to why this really is a penny well spent.
Councillor Alison Thomson is a Labour member for Regency ward on Brighton and Hove City Council and chairs the Planning Committee.
