Just one shop opens up toilets in £10k Staffordshire scheme

Traders in Hednesford, Cannock and Rugeley are being offered bonuses of up to £1,200 a year for opening their toilets up to the public. Council chiefs today revealed they are in talks with other businesses, including pub giant Wetherspoons, about opening up their toilets. The incentive scheme was introduced in October last year in response to a shortage of public loos across the three areas.

Three Wishes Cards and Gifts, in Rugeley, which is currently signed up to the scheme, has revealed it has seen an increase in trade since taking part.

Cannock regeneration chief Councillor Diane Todd today said: "Three Wishes is the only business involved in the scheme at the moment.

"I would have liked to have seen more businesses signed up by now but it is a long process and it is a pilot scheme.

"I went into Three Wishes the other week to speak to them about it and they said trade has increased since they signed up as people were coming in to use the toilets and then stopping to buy things, too."

She added: "This is good news as anything that helps the community and helps business is great."

She said talks were ongoing with other businesses such as Wetherspoons over the scheme.

Businesses who do sign up have to make sure their toilets are safe, hygienic and accessible.

In the months since its launch, there were five expressions of interest in the Community Toilet Scheme.

Cannock Shopping Centre, Bella's Cafe, Station Cafe and SOS Hairdressers, all in Hednesford, showed an interest in the project.

Cannock Shopping Centre was refused as they already have public toilets, while the owners of Bella's Cafe and SOS Hairdresser withdrew their application.

Station Cafe was refused permission to sign up for the scheme as it was a unisex toilet.

In a report about the scheme, going before Cannock Chase Council's cabinet on Thursday, it says: "Any opportunities to increase the number of publicly accessible toilets will be progressed."