Coffee shops....your opinions pls

Posted by: mista h on 17 November 2013

Out and about with the old man today. Lunchtime we went into a large Pret a Manger for coffee and a snack. On leaving he wants to use the toilet,but was told by the Manager that they had none on the premises.

As luck would have it we just used the Wetherspoons next door.

Can someone put me wise on this, but i thought that shops that serve food and drink MUST provide toilets !!

 

Mista H

Posted on: 17 November 2013 by Tony2011

Mista h, AFAIK, only establishments serving alcoholic drinks must provide such facilities for the general public. They MUST, however, provide toilet and changing rooms for the staff.

Posted on: 17 November 2013 by mista h

Hello Tony

Many thanks for your reply. So what you are saying is that if Pret serves me say an orange juice they dont have to provide me with toilets,but if per chance they were to serve me a small glass of wine then they would have to provide me with a toilet.

Crazy,i wonder what bunch of ?ankers thought that little jem up.

 

Mista H

Posted on: 18 November 2013 by MDS

Most of the Prets I visit seem to cater more for those who 'buy to go' rather than eat and drink in. Maybe that's got something to do with it.  But on your original question, Mista H, of the high street coffee shops I'd put Costa at the top of my list for quality (and they always seem to have loos).

MDS  

Posted on: 18 November 2013 by BigH47

We don't have a "always go to" coffee shop . I find them all pretty expensive and variable , but coffee isn't my first choice drink. We have been to a few different P a Mangers, from (suspect) memory they all had toilets.

Posted on: 18 November 2013 by Lionel

"

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 empowers Local Authorities to require sanitary facilities (including wash hand basins with hot and cold water etc) to be made available for the use of the public in ‘relevant places’.

‘Relevant places’ are defined in the Act and include;

  • Places used for entertainment, exhibitions or sporting events
  • Place used for the sale of food or drink to members of the public for consumption at the place
  • A betting office"

It appears to be for the Local Authority to decide what is required.

Posted on: 18 November 2013 by Christopher_M

Though since we live in a democracy we have the chance to raise the subject with our ward councillors, or if they are in some way in hock to the coffee shops, attend the relevant council meeting ourselves and make our voices heard. Ultimately the quality of our public lives is down to us.

 

Chris