Pub toilets fare poorly in UK survey
However at the same time restaurant toilets got a 93% approval rating from consumers.
“Toilets say a lot about their owners,” claimed Formica whose research of 2,000 UK adults between July and August 2017 found that toilets in bars and pubs were even worse than those found in nightclubs according to 40% of UK consumers and only train facilities fared worse in the survey, part of its Lifting the Lid on Washrooms report.
“Train stations and pubs/bars are both perceived to have the filthiest loos (by 41% and 39% respectively), while the latter creates the longest queues for them too.”
However the report points out that because of the sheer volume of ‘patrons’ that use them each day, it’s perhaps unsurprising that conveniences in trains, pubs/bars and nightclubs comprise the top three for being the dirtiest.
In the survey, 17% of consumers wanted to see more toilets provided for customers in pubs, nightclubs and sports stadia while hands-free flushing is the technology most (61%) want to see, followed by better ventilation (46%) and thicker toilet paper (41%).
Natural and light décor is the design of choice because respondents believe it impacts cleanliness (75%).
“With huge competition in the hospitality sector, the state of an establishment’s toilets can make or break the overriding experience and influence whether a customer returns or not,” said Formica Group’s UK Marketing Manager Joe Bell, “It’s also this type of scenario that ends up on social media, damaging a brand’s reputation.
“With hygiene paramount in the dining-out sector, clean toilets should be second nature. Small adjustments to the design, fixtures and fittings can help flush away poor perceptions and restore public confidence by making washrooms more pleasant environments.”
