I’m a Business Owner – Why Should I Open My Toilets to the Public?

Across the UK, thousands of public toilets have closed in the last decade. Councils are struggling, people are frustrated, and businesses are caught in the middle. But there’s a powerful opportunity here: opening your toilets to the public doesn’t just help your community – it helps your business too.

Why It Matters

• Nearly 2,000 public toilets have closed in the last 10 years across the UK.
• One in five people limit how far they travel from home because they’re not sure they’ll find a toilet (Royal Society for Public Health, 2019).
• Lack of access especially impacts parents with toddlers, disabled people, older adults, and those with health conditions.
• When people know a toilet is nearby, they stay longer, shop more, and return more often.

The Footfall Effect

Businesses who have already joined community toilet schemes consistently report higher visibility and extra customers:

Stuart Green, Manager, The Cabbage Patch (Twickenham)

“When I was first asked to join the Community Toilet Scheme I was sceptical. I now see it is a very good idea and have been happy to recommend it to other licensees… I certainly think it is working.”

Katie Laine, Department Manager, Waitrose (Twickenham)

“We pride ourselves on offering our customers a pleasant environment throughout the shop and believe the scheme can help ensure this is achieved.”

Marks & Spencer, Kew Retail Park

“…it also helps to encourage even more people to use our toilets, of which we are justifiably proud.”

Councils from Richmond to Gloucester confirm the same pattern: businesses see increased footfall, more community goodwill, and new customers simply walking through the door.

But Here’s the Catch with Council Schemes

Community Toilet Schemes (CTS) are fantastic in principle, but here’s the problem: reach. Unless someone happens to notice a small sticker on your window, how would people from across the UK know your business is part of the scheme?

Toiletly is different. We’re a national app, powered by a growing community, showing clean, accessible toilets wherever you are. Your participation doesn’t just sit on a council PDF or shopfront sticker — it’s discoverable in real-time by thousands of users searching for the nearest reliable toilet.

Four Reasons to Partner with Toiletly

1. Accessibility & Equality – Make a real difference for families, disabled people, and anyone who needs reassurance.
2. Economic Win–Win – Toilets attract people, people become customers. The data shows it works.
3. Cost-Effective – No costly refurbishments or council paperwork. Just visibility and goodwill.
4. Scalable Reach – Unlike local schemes, Toiletly works nationwide. Whether someone’s local or visiting from miles away, they’ll find you.

The Bottom Line

The toilet you already have could be your best marketing tool. By opening your doors, you’ll boost your reputation, bring new people in, and become a trusted part of a national movement to solve the UK’s public toilet crisis.