‘If you know where they are’: YEP readers divided over whether Leeds city centre has enough public toilets
The Yorkshire Evening Post asked our readers whether there are enough public toilets in Leeds City Centre
Yorkshire Evening Post readers have been sharing their views on whether Leeds city centre has enough public toilets – with some saying there are plenty if you know where to find them, while others say more are needed.
The question prompted a lively response on our Facebook page, with readers naming locations they use and sharing their experiences of finding toilet facilities in the city centre.
But some called into question just whether it was simple to spend a penny in Leeds or not.
Olive Huckerby said there were enough facilities “if you know where they are”, mentioning Leeds City Station, St John's Centre and the bus station among her responses.
Pat Webster also pointed to facilities at Trinity, the bus station, Leeds City Station and Kirkgate Market.
Darren Buxton added that Trinity has two sets of toilets, including facilities near Everyman and another set above Trinity Kitchen.
Hayley Davies said she had “never paid to go to the toilet in town”, naming St John's, Trinity, Victoria Gate, the market and Corn Exchange among places to visit.
But not everyone agreed there were enough.
Linda Harker said: “No. Hardly any since department stores closed.”
Lynda Macdonald and Jade Pollard also answered simply: “No”, while John Critchley gave the same response.
Sarah Vickers said: “Not anymore.”
Liz Newton said she had recently visited Leeds for the first time in years and “didn't notice any at all”.
The question of how easy it is to find facilities was another recurring theme.
Julie E Daughtery said: “I actually don't know where they are.”
Martin Holman said there were enough “if you know where they are”, but added that finding facilities could be difficult for people unfamiliar with the city.
The importance of accessible toilets was also highlighted by Rosheen James, who recalled learning where the facilities were when she was pregnant because visits to the city centre had to be carefully planned around toilet stops.
Phillip McIntyre suggested that shops and pubs could make their toilets available to members of the public, potentially with an incentive from the council.
Aileen Barrass summed up her view simply: “Can't ever have too many.”
Other readers pointed to the Flush app, which maps nearby public toilets.
With readers divided over whether Leeds has enough provision, the question remains whether the city centre's existing toilets are sufficiently visible and accessible to meet the needs of everyone who uses Leeds.
And just how easy it is to spend a penny after all in the city centre.