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09
Oct
Harrogate businesses allow free access to their toilets under new scheme
A new scheme to encourage businesses to offer unconditional toilet access to anyone who asks was launched by Harrogate Town Council this week.
The 'When You’ve Gotta Go' scheme, which got the go-ahead at a council meeting on Wednesday, aims to reduce stigma around incontinence-related conditions, stomas and periods, and in doing so, promote confidence in the high street, and unlock businesses to new customers who currently limit how often they leave the house.
A 'When You’ve Gotta Go' sticker in the window of the Westmoreland Café in Harrogate.
According to the Royal Society for Public Health, one in five people don’t go outside as often as they would like, rising to two in five among people with conditions requiring frequent toilet use. In addition, more than half of the public practise deliberate dehydration, which can seriously affect health and exacerbate existing medical problems.
Look out for the window stickers
Early adopters of the scheme, Westmoreland Coffee, Artizan Café, Starling Independent and North Bar, have displayed the stickers in their windows and are training staff to allow unconditional access to toilet facilities.
Any businesses interested in joining the pilot scheme can email admin@harrogatetowncouncil.gov.uk for a free window sticker and welcome pack.
The motion carried at this week's town council meeting thanked the office of Tom Gordon MP for facilitating early conversations to instigate the scheme, as part of efforts to support disabled participation in public life and advocate on behalf of people with Crohn’s disease and colitis.
An 'and', not an 'or'
Cllr Josie Caven, the Kingsley ward councillor who brought the motion, said:
I’m thrilled we are launching the ‘When you’ve gotta go’ scheme to help take the weight off people’s minds and make it easier for everyone to get out and enjoy Harrogate’s wonderful parks, shops, and local space.
I’m so grateful to the businesses that have already signed up to the pilot scheme and look forward to welcoming many more in the coming weeks.
I know how difficult it can be, especially when the Tory-run North Yorkshire Council’s public toilets lock automatically at 6pm over the winter. We will keep campaigning to keep the council-run public toilets free and open for all – the scheme is an 'and', not an 'or'.
Westmoreland Coffee on Westmoreland Street in Harrogate.
Enkeleda Kameli, owner of Westmoreland Coffee said:
Lots of businesses like mine already operate a free and open toilet policy. The 'When You’ve Gotta Go' stickers take [away] the doubt and anxiety that prevent people from asking in the first instance.
Together, we can just make the world that little bit easier for the people in our lives with medical conditions, or anyone who needs it.
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