Trade boss slams move to open toilets

A trade leader claims pubs could become centres for drug traders if licensees are forced to open their toilets to the public.

Guild of Master Victuallers treasurer Joe O'Riordan fears new laws will mean hosts will no longer be able to vet people entering their premises, which could lead to licensees facing criminal charges if dealers are caught plying their trade in pub toilets.

"Public toilets have been used for various illegal activvities for years. You can imagine what might happen if pubs are legally obliged to open up their facilities," he said.

O'Riordan was commenting on Sunday newspaper claims that the Government had made up its mind to give the public legal access to toilets in pubs and other commercial properties.

"Licensees have historically enjoyed the right to control the type of people entering their premises as customers.

"But if this goes through, they would be powerless to stop those people who looked suspicious," he said.

"Licensees have enough problems with drugs without the prospect of seeing people coming in and out of their premises willy nilly," he said The Department for Communities & Local Government has formed a steering committee to investigate the drop in the number of public toilets across the UK. One idea floated is to open up pubs and other premises where toilets would become accessible to the public with the possibility of charging users or offering business rate relief for premises owners. A strategy document outlining the government's thinking is due to be published in the autumn.