Mayor relaunches Council's Community Toilet Scheme
28 June 2023
The public in Derry and Strabane are being encouraged to access toilet facilities in local businesses who have signed up for Council’s Community Toilet Scheme.
Speaking at a re-launch to increase awareness of the scheme, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Patricia Logue, highlighted the importance of making the public aware of the many conveniences open and free for them to use when shopping or socialising across the Council area.
The Community Toilet Scheme, operated by Council in partnership with local businesses, permits members of the public to use their facilities for free during normal opening hours without having to make a purchase.
Participating businesses receive an annual fee from Council based on the facilities they have available.
Mayor Logue says the scheme is hugely important in making our town and city centres more accessible to everyone.
“I am delighted to promote this unique partnership between Council and local businesses to actively encourage the public to avail of more clean, safe and accessible toilets at no cost.
“It is an ideal way for local businesses to give something back to their community and is a welcome addition to the existing public conveniences in our Council area, particularly for people with mobility issues.
“Participating businesses will not only benefit from free publicity and the annual fee for offering their facilities but it could bring greater footfall into their premises.”
As well as the commercial premises signed up to the Community Toilet Scheme, the Mayor pointed out that there are a large number of Council premises which also have toilet facilities available for use by the public.
These premises include legacy public toilets, leisure centres and civic buildings.
While participating businesses will make their toilet facilities available to members of the public, business owners will continue to retain the right to refuse entry to anyone who would normally be refused entry to the premises.
Businesses in the Community Toilet Scheme are identifiable by a window sticker, provided by Council, indicating that they are participating in the scheme and the level of facilities available.
Interested businesses must also have public liability insurance to provide this service.
Further information, including a map highlighting the Community Toilet Scheme participating locations is available on the council website www.derrystrabane.com/communitytoilets or by contacting a member from the Environmental Health Team on 028 71 253 253 or [email protected].