Toilets closed again

[JaceLancs]

Back to where we were months ago!
First time I’ve been out and about (work related) since recent lockdown
Left home at 8.30 for work meeting - parked in town centre shopping centre car park around 11 tried to find a toilet - M n S have closed off upper floors inc toilets, cafe nero takeaway only - toilets closed - shopping centre toilets closed
I have IBS and bladder problems and a radar key - no use today
Had to drive 3 miles to nearest Sainsbury’s to use their facilities (bought a dress as wouldn’t use toilets if not a customer!)
Set off to next work appointment - few miles away by 3pm needed toilet again and a drink - tried costa - takeaway coffee but toilets locked - Tesco next (toilets locked) - what do I do?
I had to cross my legs and drive home before setting out again - took me 30 miles out of my way
Eventually got home at 6.30 with stomach cramps and very stressed! I can’t do my job anymore if I can’t find toilet facilities
Any suggestions?
Why does Covid mean toilets are closed?
I never used to have this problem - I’m not even expecting it for free - happy to shop or buy food or a drink

Oh how stressful. I can’t go about 30 minutes without needing the loo. I think public toilets are still open. Can you plot a route with a stop at some?
Are the toilets in garages shut?

Do you need to be driving about for work? I don’t think I’d be able to do that unless there were toilets available.

I nipped into McD’s at the weekend for takeaway, to beat the heinous drive-thru queues. Loos were open there :)

public are dirty buggers thats why!!

who wants to clean up bodily fluids during a pandemic?

I have this problem too. I’m out all day tomorrow so I’ve had to factor in time between jobs to double back to motorway services.

I was wondering whether supermarket toilets would be open but thought it best not to chance it.

I'm also the same. It's awful when you are desperate and can't find somewhere. I got really panicky last week when Sainsbury's we're closed and couldn't think were else to go.
Partner thought I should invest in a she-wee thing!
Sometimes I'm lucky and driving out in the country so do as nature intended but not ideal.

I had the same issue the other day 38 weeks pregnant and was so desperate and went into McDonald's had to buy a drink though

With a radar key shops surely should have allowed you access. Did you ask? Know it might have been embarassing tho

The shopping centre refused to allow me to use their disabled toilet even when I showed them my radar key
They suggested I walk to railway station about 10 minutes away - which was more than a bit annoying as I had paid to use their car park!
I’m not sure how I could have anyway as need a ticket to get past barrier as the toilets are on the platform side not the ticket office side
I drive around the county for my job pre Covid not a huge problem as could always grab coffee or use toilets in shops

Shops that provide toilets are for customers only, so I guess if they haven't got customers walking around, they're not obliged to open them. Also, in some cases, staff will be using the toilets are well, so it gives added protection knowing only staff have been in there.

Our local council did have a list of open public toilets online during last lockdown, so it might be searching those if you have to work away from home.

My cousin told me once, a few years ago, she needed the loo when shopping in London. She dashed into the nearest department store but they wouldn't let her use their loos. Desperate by then, she told them she would just end up peeing on their floor because she couldn't hang on any longer. They let her in. Desperate times call for desperate talk just occasionally

The shopping centre shouldn't have closed their toilets - I thought Boris had made a specific point this time of saying that public toilets would be kept open?

I thought they were keeping them open too. For bladder problems, have you thought about using a shee wee for in the car? www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_noss&k=she+wee&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

yes, our local public toilets locked up again -(and it was the only one open for a wide area in the last lockdown). It is stopping me from going out!! None of the coffee bars have theirs open.

It would be great if the people who designed the Potette for kids could do a similar thing for grown ups to use discretely in the car.

It’s a directive from above I expect
We have been forced to close our toilets at work - they’re staff only now
It’s because there’s increased cleaning involved after every single use- easier to just close them
No one wants to spend hours cleaning dirty toilets and the general public won’t clean up after themselves
It’s rubbish tho. I agree

Our public ones in town centre shut. Luckily headed into costa for a takeaway coffee and they let me use theirs. The purple one latte is very nice too!

Carplife bivvy loo. Its a collapsible camping loo in its own carry bag. Bought one for my van, priceless!!

We’ll all be weeing in bushes again soon. Or just not going out.

I think the council ones should be open.

For those recommending shewees, have you used one?

I bought one and didn’t matter how desperate I was a simply couldn’t pee standing up! Body said nope🙈

Any ideas how to overcome this?

@Heatherjayne1972

It’s a directive from above I expect We have been forced to close our toilets at work - they’re staff only now It’s because there’s increased cleaning involved after every single use- easier to just close them No one wants to spend hours cleaning dirty toilets and the general public won’t clean up after themselves It’s rubbish tho. I agree

I see the point but, Covid Secure guidelines makes no mention of toilets having to be cleaned between every use. It’s just organisations just getting out of providing facilities, in particular councils who’ve been desperate to get rid of their public bogs for years.

I have seriously considered incontinence pads. Tell me why that would be an awful idea.

Why would they have to be cleaned after each use?
People should use hand gel then enter - use toilet wash hands and leave!
A she wee is no use to me I have IBS as well as bladder problems

Ive started keeping my chemical toilet and pop up privacy tent in the boot just incase! Never had to use it but only youngest did once after rugby training as they havent opened the toilets there.

Shewee out and about pack? Includes shewee, peebol pocket size toilet and hand sanitizer. If your issues are influenced by stress just having this in car may help. Also do ask.

@JaceLancs

Why would they have to be cleaned after each use? People should use hand gel then enter - use toilet wash hands and leave! A she wee is no use to me I have IBS as well as bladder problems

I do wonder whether you should complain to the centre. It might make a difference for the future or someone else accessing the centre.

Perhaps they didn't have an understanding of radar keys or were a bit of a jobsworth. Not an excuse at all, but maybe another person would have let you in.

I really feel for you. It must have been so anxiety inducing