Businesses that open their toilets to the public could benefit from more customers, Social Justice Minister Carl Sargeant said yesterday at a visit to the Cambrian Woollen Mill in Llanwrtyd Wells.
The Minister heard how the Mill’s owners, Dennis and May Nixon, received £500 from the Public Facilities Grant Scheme in return for opening their customer toilets to the general public. Dennis and May say that since receiving the Assembly Government grant, more customers have visited the business than in previous years.
“I am pleased to see the grant has benefited both the Cambrian Woollen Mill and visitors and locals to the Llanwrtyd Wells area” said the Minister. “Dennis and May have used the grant to provide much needed public conveniences in this area and at the same time they have benefited from more customers. I hope other organisations across Powys take advantage of the scheme.”
Dennis and May are pleased with the greater number of customers to their business.
“When people stop off to use the loo, very often they will have a look around the gift shop” said Dennis.
“That often adds up in sales we wouldn’t otherwise have had. Cars also fill the car park drawing attention to the premises and that encourages more passers by to pop in and have a look around.”
The Public Facilities Grant Scheme was set up in 2009 to create more free-to-use public toilets in Wales and improve washroom facilities. Under the Welsh Assembly Government initiative, organisations can apply for up to £500 in return for opening their toilets to the general public.
