Wasn't allowed to use disabled toilet despite the fact no other toilet was available. AIBU?

That's crazy. I hsve to admit, in those circumstances id have found a discrete spot near the back of the toilet block and gone there. Indeed I've done that a lot when younger. It's not dignifying but needs must.

Having visited Western Australia recently, amongst the many great things there was the availability of free, clean public toilets in even the smallest of places we drove through.

Shame we can’t do the same here, but whilst the provision of public conveniences isn’t a statutory requirement, cash-strapped local authorities will target funding elsewhere. Big shout out for Bury St Edmunds for some great toilets!

The shopping centre isn't that far from the seafront! And there are numerous cafes, plus the pier, there's also a wetherspoons on the front, unless you were right up the far end where they have the circus, but you said half way along, the toilet block isn't far from the town centre iirc
But not all disabilities are visible so they could have let you in, however those changing places toilets are really expensive to install, they have hoists, changing benches, electric sinks that the heights can be changed on, bidet style toilets so I imagine it's because they don't want the risk of any of the equipment damaged.

You have no idea if the call is being recorded - and as you had told the operator you were not disabled there is a possibility they could have been in trouble with their employer for allowing you to use the disabled toilet. By all means have a pop at the council for locking the regular loos, but leave the person doing their job alone.

Changing places toilets arent standard toilets. They're not that common for starters. They've got things like a hoist, changing table, shower, privacy screen and a lot more room than usual. Often its people who need to be accompanied by a carer/2 carers/need hoisting/have a large wheelchair that physically wont fit into any other kind of toilet that tend to use them. A lot of people see the 'changing places' and assume its a changing room/baby changing facility. The equipment in them is very, very expensive, so rightly or wrongly access is usually a lot more controlled than in any other kind of toilet.

This could have been why you were not let into the bathroom, OP.

I'd be minded to complain, and add a final paragraph.

"I do of course apologise for the heap I left close to the building. Regrettably, I had to squat and my husband used his jacket to minimise offence to passers by. It's hopefully been washed away now by the rain but you may wish to ask your cleaners to check". "I didn't do that of course, but others might when confronted with unreasonableness and your employee needs to reflect. Next time, of course, I shall lie".

I find it very intrusive that you have to call a stranger and discuss your health with them to use a toilet that is paid through all our taxes. I’d complain OP-from a privacy POV if nothing else.

As a wheelchair user it's obvious that I need a disabled loo. However I would find it humiliating to have to call someone to ask them to 'buzz me in'.

I have a friend who's developed a rather distressing <as yet undiagnosed> stomach issue which means when she needs to 'go' she needs to 'go' urgently. We were out in a nearby seaside town recently and she needed the loo, but all the non-disabled ones were closed for the winter. I said to use the disabled loo and gave her my radar key. She was worried that people may think that she didn't have a need to use a disabled loo. I pointed out that not all disabilities are visible & if anyone made a comment to tell them exactly that. No apology or further explanation is necessary.

I bought her a radar key of her own for Xmas with a keyring on which I had engraved 'not all disabilities are visible & a heart' on it.

I would call the team here https://www.changing-places.org/contact-us to see what they say.

Otherwise call North Somerset Council.

Please don’t buy a radar key if you aren’t disabled. The whole point is to enable those with disabilities to access facilities specifically for them. Else what happens when a disabled person who needs to use a disabled toilet (often time critical) and they are in use by someone who doesn’t need them, but has a radar key incase they don’t want to wait for normal toilets.

In this case, I agree that you should have been allowed to use the disabled facilities if there were no others available.

One time just when things were opening up again in 2021, my daughter was at an athletics meeting in an unfamiliar town. She has a bladder like a camel but I don't and also got IBS symptoms from time to time. The toilets were locked at the track. I drove into town.

Stood in a queue at McDonald's to find their toilets were locked. Went to ASDA, their toilets were out of order as someone had broken through the barrier, used the toilets and smashed something up in frustration- I was starting to feel the same way as that person at this point. I walked all round a shopping mall and couldn't find toilets. Finally I found a loo at Costa. Absolutely minging but it had to do.

That was a weird situation in Covid times but even now there are places where it is a public toilet desert and somewhere unfamiliar can be really difficult. Google maps are not always helpful either.

So is the number manned 24/7? If not what if you need the loo outside of office hours?

But you are arguing now and saying even worse things.

I am not going to argue but the op was bursting but had time to argue on the phone and want to speak to a manager..

YANBU!

I think one of the strangest things about society is that we don’t provide enough toilets in public spaces. I know they need to be funded and can be vandalised but it’s so odd that it’s frowned upon to wee or pooh on the floor yet facilities are often lacking.

It’s inhumane that she didn’t help you!

Read her posts- no cafes near.

But they can't prove if anyone calling that number is disabled or not.
Disabled is not a physical disability only.
It's also bladder and bowel conditions.

Why didn't you put the phone down and go to a cafe or something i know you were trying to make a point but just hang up and find somewhere to pee.

I'd certainly complain about the toilets being locked up and unusable. It's awful when you expect them to be available!

One time I had to pee on the beach when toilets were all locked up at a seaside resort.

The only way I can make this make sense is if say the toilet was built and paid for by a disability charity which installs additional toilets to increase the ability of disabled people to get out and about. If the toilets are only used say ten times a day (because they are gate kept) then cleaning can be irregular and therefore cheaper. If the charity allows everyone to use them, then additional cleaning costs have to be paid for, which don't benefit disabled people and could potentially get them into bother with OSCR.

However, if these are standard council run toilets, YANBU. If they are closing the mens and womens toilets because it's so quiet, everyone should be able to use the disabled (and be quick)!

Suggest writing a complaint letter or email to the council or whoever is responsible for these facilities.

No reason to deny anyone access to public facilities.

Sounds like they were a jobsworth. Complain to whoever it is that operates the toilets and also the councillor/MP for the area

Od course people, able bodied or not, can Go out for a walk if they want to, if there are toilets then they should be open.