Locals in Portobello are upset because the Edinburgh Council cut funding for new public toilets.
Businesses are overwhelmed by toilet demand; hundreds use their toilets daily, often without buying anything. One restaurant manager, Rikki, spoke about the issue, noting that kids make a mess in the restaurant toilets. He thinks the Council should do something.
Rikki noted other beach spots have good toilet facilities, even showers. Portobello currently has two toilet locations: one at Pipe Lane and the other on Bath Street. They only have toilets, though the SNP wanted to add showers.
Young people can be abusive to staff at night when they cannot use the toilets. Another manager, Maciek, is disappointed in the council and sees a mess everywhere. He doesn’t understand why they can’t find the money.
Maciek thinks the 6 PM closing is the biggest problem. Neighbors are unhappy with people urinating outside, and the council knows the area is busy in summer. Closing toilets at 6 PM is not smart, but they let kids, pregnant women, and disabled people use their toilets.
Many residents share Rikki and Maciek’s worries. One resident, Craig, is concerned about location and hours. People drink on the beach after the toilets shut, and then they use streets as toilets because he thinks the walk is too far.
Another local, Denise, wants more public restrooms, thinking it would improve the area and that people would see the benefit of more facilities. A third resident, Lewis, notices a problem in summer: people are using the streets and restaurants do their best, but public toilets would help. However, one resident, Agata, doesn’t see it as a problem.