Harrogate Town Council unveils groundbreaking new toilets scheme for people 'caught short' in town centre

A new Gotta Go Scheme in Harrogate supported by local cafes and businesses will remove the anxiety of finding a toilet

Harrogate Town Council is to launch a new When you’ve gotta go toilet scheme with the backing of local businesses and the town’s MP.

The new scheme, which comes in the era when public toilets are increasingly under threat, will promote unconditional toilet access to anyone who asks.

The aim is to reduce stigma around incontinence-related conditions, stomas and periods, promote confidence in the high-street and unlock businesses to new customers who currently curb how often they leave the house.

"I'm thrilled the Town Council has run with this pilot scheme.” said Harrogate MP Tom Gordon.

“In the early conversations CouncillorJosie Caven and I had with national charities and Harrogate residents, it was clear that too many people limit how often they leave the house because of anxiety about finding a toilet."

“By working with Harrogate BID and the Chamber of Commerce to bring our fantastic local businesses into one scheme, we can amplify the free and open toilet policies many were already running individually

“It's a small change that makes a big difference, and it makes our town even more welcoming, for everyone."

The new When you’ve gotta go aims aims to reduce stigma around incontinence-related conditions, stomas and periods, promote confidence in the high-street and unlock businesses to new customers who currently curb how often they leave the house.

Early adopters of the scheme in Harrogate, Westmoreland Coffee, Artizan Café, Starling Independent and North Bar are already displaying stickers in their windows and are guiding staff to allow unconditional access to toilet facilities.

Enkeleda Kameli, owner of Westmoreland Coffee said**:** "Lots of businesses like mine already operate a free and open toilet policy but the new When you’ve gotta go stickers take the doubt and anxiety that prevent people from asking in the first instance.

"Together we can just make the world that little bit easier for the people in our lives with medical conditions, or anyone who needs it."

According to the Royal Society for Public Health, one in five of the public don’t go outside as often as they would like, rising to two in five among people with conditions requiring frequent toilet use.

Additionally, more than half of the public practise deliberate dehydration which can seriously affect health and exacerbate existing medical problems.

Councillors who voted for the initiative at the Lib Dem run Harrogate Town Council thanked the office of Tom Gordon MP for facilitating early conversations to instigate the scheme, as part of their efforts to support disabled participation in public life and advocate for people with Crohn’s and colitis

Coun Josie Caven, who brought the motion, said: “I’m thrilled we are launching the When you’ve gotta go scheme to help take the weight off people’s minds and make it easier for everyone to get out and enjoy Harrogate’s wonderful parks, shops, and local spaces.

“I’m so grateful to the businesses that have already signed up to the pilot scheme and look forward to welcoming many more in the coming weeks.

“I know how difficult it can be, especially when North Yorkshire Council’s public toilets lock automatically at 6pm over the winter.”