‍What’s happening? Public toilet provision in England has declined by 14% since 2016, worsening access and hygiene conditions, according to the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH). Based on 221 freedom of information responses, England now averages 15,481 people per toilet, compared with 8,500 in Scotland and 6,748 in Wales. The shortage has been linked to poorer public health, reduced high street activity and increased public urination. Maintenance can cost up to £25,000 ($33,782) annually per facility, leaving councils to reconsider availability. A central government spokesperson said over £78bn has been allocated for council finances but it is up to local leaders how to spend the majority of this money. (The Guardian)

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Why does this matter? Public toilets in the UK have been disappearing at speed, with 40% shut since 2000. Squeezed council budgets, vandalism and antisocial behaviour are among the key reasons for their closure. There is no legal requirement for either central government or local authorities to provide such facilities. Many councils have looked to community toilet schemes as a solution – where private businesses are incentivised to allow non-customers to use their toilets. However, these are limited to opening hours and may not be suitable for people with additional needs.

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Getting out – The impact of not being able to access public toilets is profound for some. A 2019 report by the RSPH highlighted 20% of people leave their home less often due to a lack of facilities, rising to 40% of those with medical conditions that make trips to the toilet more frequent. These include bladder, bowel and prostate issues or diabetes. Older people are also more likely to need to use a toilet more often, as are caregivers of babies needing a nappy change or young children who struggle to wait. Another common issue is deliberate dehydration that can cause serious harm to health and exacerbate existing medical problems such as cystitis.

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Going anywhere – The lack of public toilets also drives an increase in street urination or defaecation, which poses public health risks. Several laws exist to prosecute perpetrators with fines of up to £2,500 or imprisonment in the most serious of cases. The trade union GMB pointed out that taxi drivers, couriers and road transport workers are forced to “go" anywhere because of a scarcity of facilities, which is “degrading and embarrassing” and puts them at risk of legal action and job losses. Homeless people also face the threat of prosecution if they are unable to access a toilet in time.

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Urgent need – Pressure is mounting for an increase in availability. The RSPH is calling for new Strategic Authorities to take responsibility for ensuring adequate provision in their areas, with facilities placed where they are most needed and backed by central government funding. It also contends that private developers should contribute to expanding provision in England, proposing regulations to require the inclusion of public toilets in any non-residential buildings. The British Toilet Association is also campaigning for the government to make it a legal requirement for local authorities to provide access to clean and hygienic amenities in cities and town centres.

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Fresh thinking – There are signs that the tide may be turning, with an emerging wave of architects embracing the problem with innovative designs. For example, Woolwich and Maida Hill in London both recently opened new public toilet buildings funded by their respective borough councils. Studio Weave, the architecture firm behind the projects, noted the importance of safety and dignity, highlighting that its designs ensure drugs or knives cannot be hidden anywhere. Meanwhile, DK-CM’s Bruce Grove refurbishment in Tottenham incorporated a community room and cafe into a once crumbling public toilet building. The government’s Pride in Place Strategy, launched last September, will also offer funding to local authorities specifically for public toilet provision.

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On trend? This may signal an emerging trend that is worthy of investor attention. High quality public facilities are not just a necessity for public health and inclusivity, they are also central to the appeal of local communities, boosting footfall that can benefit businesses in the area.