Welsh pubs in cash for loos plan

Pubs across Wales can now get paid to let non-customers use their toilets.

Seventeen of the 22 county councils in Wales have so far agreed to take part in the Welsh Assembly Government's £385,000 public facilities grant scheme. Councils get up to £18,000 to pay businesses, including pubs, and other organisations to open up their loos to the public.

The Welsh Assembly Government said more than 750 firms across Wales could take part in the scheme, launched in response to a lack of public toilets. It mirrors London's community toilet scheme.

The scheme in Wales is not just aimed at pubs in urban areas — the freehold Farmers Arms, at Cwmdu, joined the scheme one week ago. Licensee Lyndsey Ursell said the pub is paid £400 per year to participate. Council officials checked the toilets to ensure they reached the required standard. They display a sign advertising the fact non-customers can use the loo.

"The public toilet closed about two years ago. People were using my toilet anyway, so we thought we may as well join the scheme," Ursell said.

There is a dedicated website for the initiative in her council area, Powys, which has a link to the Farmers Arms' website. She hopes this will help publicise the pub.

A spokeswoman for Powys County Council said firms on major highways are being targeted. "It's up to businesses to apply now. If there are a couple of bids in one town we will look at the one that's likely to provide the best facilities for the public."

Local Government minister Brian Gibbons said: "Pubs and filling stations already provide customer toilets. This scheme will provide an incentive for businesses to work with local councils to widen access to these facilities."

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