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Manchester is predicted to be one of the first UK cities to lose all its public toilets

Need a wee just thinking about this.

Emily Sergeant - 22nd November 2023

Manchester is predicted to be one of the first cities in the UK to lose all its public toilets, according to a new study.

Apparently, data shows the city will have nowhere to wee for free by the time 2059 rolls around.

For some Mancs, it’s probably not a thought that crosses your mind very often, but for those with weaker bladders, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed public toilets are much thinner on the ground and a lot harder to come by these days – especially here in Manchester.

And it turns out there’s good reason for that, as our city has ranked among the top 10 UK cities that are most-likely to lose their loos within the next couple of decades.

According to a new study carried out by bathroom specialists Victorian Plumbing, the number of public toilets in the UK has dropped from 6,087 in 2000, to just 3,990 over the last 10 years, and if it continues at this rate, the current trajectory is predicting a future where the country’s streets lack free lavatories altogether.

Experts say this would lead to a public health crisis that “disproportionately affects people with disabilities or ill health”, as well as the elderly, women, outdoor workers, and the homeless too.

The company’s research has discovered that Manchester is one of the worst-affected regions in the UK when it comes to the rapid decline in public toilets – with only seven estimated in the area currently, and a loss of 2.1% per year.

Top 10 UK cities most likely to lose their public toilets

1. Newcastle
2. Birmingham
3. Plymouth
4. Manchester
5. Glasgow
6. Edinburgh
7. Preston
8. Salford
9. Liverpool
10. Lancaster

Manchester takes the fourth spot on the list, with our fellow Greater Manchester neighbours Salford also claiming eighth place, and the rest of the top 10 list overwhelmingly featuring other northern cities like Preston, Lancaster, and Liverpool.

“It may seem like a trivial thing to worry about, but the dwindling number of public toilets speaks to a broader issue of societal neglect,” comments Brenna Ryan, from Victorian Plumbing.

Urging the UK Government to “take action”, Brenna added: “Every year, the number of public toilets decrease, and with it, so does our promise of a basic human right – the right to sanitation. It’s not just about answering nature’s call, but about upholding the dignity of everyone, irrespective of age, gender, or social status.”

Victorian Plumbing has now launched a petition calling on local authorities to provide public toilets by law – with more than 2,000 people and counting having put their names to it.

Read more:

• How a public toilet became a drinking den for Manchester musicians
• This Ancoats toilet block has been turned into luxury Santorini-inspired apartment
• UK government to make single-sex toilets compulsory in all new public buildings

“It’s high time we voice our concerns, rally behind the need for accessible public toilets, and urge our Government to understand that this isn’t just about toilets, but about the dignity, health, and wellbeing of everyone,” Brenna concluded.

You can sign the petition here.

Featured Image – Supplied