HERE’S a scheme council officers hope will be flushed with success – businesses in Potters Bar are needed to volunteer opening their toilet facilities to the public.

Last month Hertsmere Borough Council decided to launch its Community Toilet Scheme in Darkes Lane, following a successful pilot in Borehamwood.

Now the council is looking for shops, cafes, pubs and other premises to come forward and apply to join the scheme, which aims to provide an alternative to traditional public and automated toilets which are costly to maintain and manage.

In return for allowing members of the public to use their loos without having to buy anything, businesses could get up to �1,000 – depending on what facilities they can offer.

Participants will be selected by the council depending on their facilities, location and opening hours.

Businesses will initially be asked to sign up to a three-month trial, which would then be extended to a year if both parties are happy to continue.

Councillor Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for environment, said: “I hope businesses will jump at the chance to earn some extra money in the current financial climate.

“It is a great scheme and a win-win situation for both shoppers and shopkeepers – shoppers will have clean and safe convenient facilities to use and shopkeepers will get an annual fee as well as increased footfall which can boost sales.”

Participating businesses will be identified by special window stickers and, in time, a map will be produced to show their locations.

Toilets will be inspected regularly to ensure they are of a good standard.

* For more information and to apply, call 020 8207 7435, email environmental.health@ hertsmere.gov.uk or click on the link above.