Public toilets open but some shops have decided customers can’t spend a penny

YOU can still spend a penny in Northern Ireland... but for how much longer?

Public toilets were on the Stormont Executive’s long list of places that can stay open in the near future, although several councils in GB have closed theirs.

Many local Eurospar service stations have, however, locked the doors of their lavatories to customers.

Lorry drivers and other workers currently playing a vital role in the distribution network between Belfast and Dublin will be relieved, however, to know that the big Applegreen service stations are not currently following Eurospar’s example.

But while their outlets are keeping toilets open for now, the Belfast Telegraph understands they have made less of them available.

One Applegreen employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were not happy with the facilities staying open.

“Customers can always find somewhere else, but as a worker on an eight-hour shift it would be nice to know you’re using a loo that only a few people can get into.”

A spokeswoman for the Henderson Group, which owns the Eurospar brand in Northern Ireland, said their focus is on health and safety.

“Our top priority is keeping stores functioning for essential supplies as well as the health and safety of our shoppers and retail staff,” she said.

“The decision to close our customer toilets was not made lightly, however we believe it further maintains shop floor hygiene standards and provides continuity of food supply for the shopper.”

The Belfast Telegraph contacted Applegreen for comment.