ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

More than four out of five older Londoners are unhappy with the number of public toilets in their borough, according to a study by Age UK London.

Approximately 81 per cent think there are too few public toilets in their local area while only three per cent consider their toilet provision to be good.

And 90 per cent of respondents said they routinely thought about the availability of public toilets before leaving home, while more than half admitted to reducing their fluid intake before going out to reduce their likelihood of needing a washroom.

Age UK London polled 637 Londoners - 93 per cent of them over 50 - in summer 2022 as part of its Out and About campaign. The body is seeking to tackle the root causes of loneliness among older people.

Study authors claim the long-term decline in the number of public toilets has accelerated over recent years with only around 1,500 public facilities now available to meet the needs of more than eight million people - fewer than one washroom per 5,000.

Age UK London CEO Abigail Wood said: "Good public toilet provision is a hallmark of a civilised society and the fact that 81 per cent of people think that the availability of toilets in their borough is bad is a scandal."

Study authors concluded that the "loo leash" - where people are reluctant to leave their homes due to public toilet concerns - is a significant cause of social isolation.