Join the Community Toilet Scheme

The Community Toilet Scheme is for businesses who are happy to let members of the public use their toilets during trade hours without the expectation of buying anything.

Benefits of joining 

Your business will benefit from this free advertising and promotion:

• printed materials at public places like tourist information centres, parks, leisure centres and libraries
• free window signs encouraging potential customers to enter your premises
• potential increase in trade 
• a bolstered public image of your business as you’ll be supporting the local community
• listing on our website

When you join the scheme, you will be given a stickers to display in your window, depending on the facilities.

Details of the scheme

Length of the scheme

We want businesses to sign up for one year, but you can withdraw after six months. We will do regular reviews to collect feedback from you and address any issues.

We might remove you from the scheme if you do not follow certain standards.

Use of the toilets

The scheme works under these conditions:

• your toilets should be made available to all members of the public without discrimation
• you are entitled to expect the same standards of behaviour as you would from customers 
• you retain the right to refuse permission to anyone who would normally be refused entry to your premises

Insurance

You will be expected to have public liability insurance. Businesses that trade in the borough and admit the public to their premises are already required to have this.

We strongly recommend that you speak with your insurers and check you have the right cover when you join this scheme.

Staying in the scheme

An agreement will be drawn up and completed by you and Southwark Council. Signs will be organised and an official start date agreed.

You will need to follow a set of standards as part of an agreement to stay in the scheme. These include:

• displaying the scheme signs on your window
• keeping the toilets clean and available for the public
• telling us if there are any changes to facilities or opening times

How to join

If you would like to join this scheme, please fill in our online form:

Join the Community Toilet Scheme

After you‘ve applied, we will contact you in about:

• types and standards of toilets available, including disabled access provision
• location within the borough
• location of your toilet facilities
• opening hours

Want to join the scheme but have a minor issue that prevents signing up?

For any enquiries, including how we might be able to help you sign up, please email communityloos@southwark.gov.uk.

Page last updated: 10 June 2024