Why Bath is at a loos end

[Abandoned public convenience in North Road]

Now here’s a subject that really interests me. The older you get, the more you tend to take notice. We are talking public conveniences – or the lack of them.

The Labour group on B&NES is raising the issue with the following press release. See what you think?

With over 6 million visitors a year and more than half a billion pounds flowing into the local economy, Bath & North East Somerset(B&NES) is a tourism success story. But there’s one glaring omission from the tourist offer: only 20 public toilet sites remain – down from 27 in 2011—and most of them close by 6 pm.

The Labour Group – official opposition to the Lib Dem administration – is calling time on this crisis.

On Thursday, 17 July, councillors will vote on a motion led by Opposition Leader Cllr Robin Moss (Westfield). It calls on B&NES to run a full review of its 2011-2026 Public Toilet Provision Strategy, engaging with the community on needs, and coming up with a way to make sure there’s enough clean and accessible toilets across the area.

They’re urging residents to ask their councillors to vote for better loos –  using the Council’s “Find your councillor” postcode checker [https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx].

“This is about dignity, health, and economic sense,” says Robin Moss. “When one in five of us limit trips out, and over half drink less just to avoid needing the loo, we’re failing residents and visitors. It’s time for a public toilet strategy that reflects today’s needs.”

Members of the public and local hospitality experts agree. Tour guide Ed Browning says, “Working in tourism in Bath, where tourism is such a major part of our income and identity, I find the lack of public toilets embarrassing and frankly ridiculous.”

Moss adds: “And it’s not just about toilets—it’s about who can go out, stay out and enjoy life. It shouldn’t matter whether you’re a parent, a pensioner, if you’ve got a disability or a health condition, you deserve the dignity of knowing you can find a clean, open loo.”

“Labour’s request to Thursday’s Council meeting is simple: let’s review the strategy, involve the community, and fix this.

“We’re asking every councillor: will you vote for dignity and inclusion, or will you leave people locked out of their own villages, towns and this world-famous city?”

Data sources:

• Over 6m visitors a year – https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/journey-net-zero-public-consultation-january-2022/visitors-and-tourists 
• Over £6bn into the local economy from tourism – https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/journey-net-zero-public-consultation-january-2022/visitors-and-tourists 
• Only 20 public toilets remain in Bath & NE Somerset – https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/find-public-toilet
• 1 in 5 people limit trips out due to toilet access – https://www.rsph.org.uk/about-us/news/taking-the-p-the-decline-of-the-great-british-public-toilet.html
• 56% drink less to avoid needing a toilet – https://www.rsph.org.uk/about-us/news/taking-the-p-the-decline-of-the-great-british-public-toilet.html

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Motion to Bath & NE Somerset Council 17 July 2025

Bath and North East Somerset Council – Full Council 17 July 2025

Labour Group Motion on public toilet provision 

To be proposed by Cllr Robin Moss

Council notes that:

1. Bath attracts over 6 million visitors a year^[1] and is one of Britain’s most visited cities by overseas tourists^[2]
2. Tourism brings over half a billion pounds to our economy^[3]
3. Everyone needs to use the loo throughout the day, but for very many people, access to a public toilet can be hard to predict. The Royal Society of Public Health estimates 1 in 5 limit going out and 56% limit fluid intake on purpose, because they’re worried about toilet availability.^[4]
4. Public toilets are essential for dignity, hygiene and public health. They protect social interaction and related economic activity for many:
   • more than 20% of the population are women of menstruating age^[5]
   • urinary incontinence affects roughly 20%^[6]
   • one in ten have problems with bowel control^[7]
   • disability is “a lot” life-limiting for 6% of residents and “a little” for 10.4%^[8]
   • and under-fives make up around 5%.^[9]
5. In 2011 B&NES had 27 public toilet sites (B&NES’ 2011-2026 Public Toilet Provision Strategy)^[10] but its public toilet website says we have just 20 today^[11]
6. A quick look on www.toiletmap.uk shows our loos are very few and far between.
7. Most of our public toilets close at 6 pm, and many close earlier.
8. B&NES’ Public Toilet Provision strategy should be reviewed on a five-yearly basis, so if this motion is passed, this should have no budgetary implications.

Council recognises that:

9. People limit trips when they can’t confidently access public toilets – this impacts long-term physical and mental health, the public space and local economy.
10. Our residents, visitors and traders will all benefit from more public toilets.

Council agrees that:

11. A full review of the Public Toilet Provision Strategy is now needed as the Strategy reaches its end-date. It should:

1. engage with communities and partners to identify gaps and solutions,
2. include a needs assessment, and
3. Prioritise better provision of clean, accessible public toilets across B&NES.

1. ^[1]https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/journey-net-zero-public-consultation-january-2022/visitors-and-tourists
2. ^[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/leisureandtourism/articles/traveltrends/2023
3. ^[1] https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/journey-net-zero-public-consultation-january-2022/visitors-and-tourists
4. ^[1] https://www.rsph.org.uk/about-us/news/taking-the-p-the-decline-of-the-great-british-public-toilet.html 
5. ^[1] https://www.ahpma.co.uk/menstruation_facts_and_figures/
6. ^[1] https://www.bbuk.org.uk/continence-problems-in-the-uk/
7. ^[1] Same source
8. ^[1] https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/SEB%20Population%20%26%20Demography%20Apr25.pdf
9. ^[1] Same source
10. ^[1] https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/public_toilets_provision_strategy_-_december_2011_adopted.pdf
11. ^[1] https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/find-public-toilet