Decades-long absence of public toilets finally coming to an end as businesses join new initiative

SLIGO town’s need to spend a penny could be relieved with a new scheme that will also slash business rates.

A pilot scheme will be rolled out in the coming weeks in which a number of businesses have signed up to which will allow the public to access their toilet facilities.

If you’re caught short in town, and a businesses premises has the pilot scheme’s sticker on display, you will be allowed to pop in and take a load of your mind.

In return, participating businesses will see a slight reduction in their rates paid to Sligo County Council.

Local Restaurateur Anthony Gray has signed up to the initiative.

He told Ocean FM: “There’s going to be a pilot scheme in Sligo where businesses come together and what they’ll do is that they’ll open up their premises for use of toilets to the public.

“Nothing will change – it will be the same as it always was. We will have the right to refuse entry.

“It’s a scheme that’s worked in Germany and the UK. The cost of actually providing public toilets is absolutely ridiculous – you’re looking at

€400,000 a year with no profitability on it. It’s a loss-making money exercise.

“So I think it’s a good scheme, I’m looking forward to it and hopefully it will work for Sligo.

“It will be rolled out in the coming weeks. At the end of the month, we’ll know the figures but they will be publicised.

“As businesses, we will see a small reduction in the rates for letting customers use our toilets. I think it’s a no-brainer – anything that’s going to save money, which will hopefully be then invested into something better for the town, will be a good scheme.

“If it works – which I hope it will do – I’ll obviously be happy to continue it. If it doesn’t, I’ll obviously be pulling out of it.

“I don’t think this scheme will leave my staff vulnerable.

“Most people, when they come into my premises, might buy a cake or a bun and ask if they can use the toilets.

“And you let them use the toilets as you’re obviously only looking after them.

“Maybe if you get some unsavoury characters frequently coming in and acting the maggot, they won’t be long in being told ‘sorry we are refusing entry to you and you will not be allowed to use the toilet’.”