Single-sex toilets mandatory in new bars, restaurants and offices in England under proposed laws

Single-sex toilets are set to become a legal requirement for all new bars, restaurants, offices and shopping centres under new laws proposed by the government.

Self-contained toilets for both sexes may be provided in addition to single-sex toilets, or if there isn’t enough space.

Care homes, hotels, schools, cells in custodial facilities, and buildings used for early years provision are all exempt from the proposed legislation.

The law would affect England only and applies to new buildings as well as existing premises that undergo a material change of use.

The government said that in a consultation on the proposals, 81% of respondents agreed “with the intention for separate single-sex toilet facilities” while 82% “agreed with the intention to provide universal toilets where space allows”.

It said that women, the elderly and disabled people said they felt “unfairly disadvantaged” by gender-neutral toilets “where users share cubicle and hand-washing facilities”. 

“This leads to increasing waiting in shared queues, decreased choice and less privacy and dignity,” the government said.

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