If you’re female and need to spend a penny on a night out in Maidstone town centre, be warned – it’s just too expensive!
This is the verdict of officials who have been examining looking into whether it is possible to provide temporary women’s facilities in the County Town on Saturday nights have ruled out the prospect on cost grounds.
Men’s urinals were introduced some eight years ago, to tackle the problem of men urinating in the street after a night out in the County Town.
Street pastors have raised concerns as women frequently stop them when they are out on patrol into the early hours to ask where they can go to the toilet.
The issue for women was raised at a Maidstone Town Centre Management night-time economy forum meeting, where the cost was said to be the biggest issue.
Street pastors co- chairman Jonathan Jankowski said: “The street pastors witness it happening, two or three times a night. We are not talking about asking for the toilet, we mean finding somewhere to go.
“It is something we have raised before. If women are inside a club, it is not a problem, it is if they are outside walking around there just doesn’t seem to be any public provision.”
Town centre manager Bill Moss said: “We used to get calls on a Monday morning from retailers about spots outside their shops awash with urine, and alleyways, before we introduced the men’s one.
“The issue with women has been raised by the street pastors, as they often get asked by ladies where they can go to the toilet.
“Whilst I think it is desirable it is also jolly more expensive than the provision for the gents’ toilets.”
Mr Moss added that he understood the hire of a portable urinal cost to Maidstone council was £25 hire for each evening.
Investigation so far has found the lowest cost for a women’s toilet – which would have to be fully enclosed – is around £40,000 to buy.
Town centre sergeant John Marshall said he had also been exploring with the pubs and clubs the possibility of women being allowed in to facilities, even with a view to charging them £1, but he said he thought it was unworkable.
The closure of public toilets in the town more than three years ago did not compound the problem, as they used to close at 10.30pm.
A Maidstone council spokesman said: “We have looked into this but it would be cost prohibitive given the low level of complaints and need for such a facility. We will keep it under review.”