Mayo councillor hits out at large retailers who don't provide bathroom facilities for customers

CUSTOMERS in large retail outlets must be allowed to use their toilet facilities to 'spend a penny'.

It should be a condition in a planning permission that facilities are available, says Councillor Michael Burke.

The Ballinrobe councillor was in a big outlet in Castlebar recently where he met an elderly lady, with a walking stick, who was looking to use the toilet. He spoke to a staff member but they would not facilitate her.

Speaking at a municipal district meeting, Councillor Burke said if you were opening a small coffee shop you had to have two toilets - one for staff and one for the public that is disabled friendly.

But some of the big stores don't want to hear about anyone wanting to use a toilet. And they don't seem to have any obligation to provide facilities, he said.

It should be a planning condition on every store that they have a facility for every person when they want to use the toilet.

Municipal district head Padraig Flanagan said he would be confident that any planning granted in the last 20 to 30 years would require toilets in their planning conditions.

He advised councillors that the planning department would guide them on that.

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