A debate regarding a pub's "snotty" toilet sign has seen the blame turn to the Tory government as "councils can no longer afford to maintain public toilets".
The Golden Lion on Moor Street, Ormskirk, placed a chalk board outside the pub this week with a message asking people who were not dining to use toilets elsewhere. The sign read: "We are not a public toilet. Nearest is bus station or M&S car park" with a smiley face at the end."
Following an online debate where the pub was called "snotty" for the "not nice welcome" for visitors to the area, the owners released a statement criticising the "absolute mess" the toilets were left in. The pub added they asked people for a charity donation to use the toilet but "no one adhered to this and it got harder to manage".
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The pub's statement added: "We try to be as accommodating as we can and of course we let parents bring their children in should they need the toilet and people who otherwise not be able to wait but most of these people ask politely when they come in which we appreciate, unlike others.
"Again we’re sorry that many of you are upset by this and we hope the anonymous poster along with anybody else can message us should there be any further concerns, we really are a friendly bunch and do take on board your opinions despite what you may think about our sign."
The sign has split opinion since it was first put in Ormskirk's town centre. And since the ECHO shared the sign, debate has turned to the reasons why people would need to use the pub's toilets in the first place.
One person said: "They are a business, not a public convenience." Another person wrote: "Don't blame the businesses, blame the councils that have closed all public toilets." A third person added: "Councils can no longer afford to maintain public toilets because of 13 years of Tory enforced budget cuts."
Others were quick to jump to the defence of the pub saying the owners would be the ones to foot the bill. Stephen McKenzie said: "Totally right to do it. Who pays for the water bill? Who pays for the toilet paper? Who pays for the cleaning products? They are not free."
Others defended the pub and praised how accommodating it is. Colin Piet said: "The manageress couldn't be more accommodating if she tried. There is a sign outside informing customers they no longer serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own and eat inside if a customer.
"Tell me another pub that does that. Ask yourself this, does your place of work allow random people to walk in and use the facilities? Public house or not, it's a business that needs to turn a profit. A simple sign saying 'toilets for customers only' might save the day."
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