Daddy I have to go pee.....

Yesterday I started out on a wonderful day.  Despite the blistering wind and torrential rain ad an appointment in Llandudno for my little girl and then off to B&Q for some DIY shopping.  My wife phoned and said we could take our time as she had things covered back at the Meadowsweet Hotel in Llanrwst.  We had a big trolley and the store was our oyster until my daughter uttered that tension building phrase that can place the calmest of parents in a tailspin.  No worries, I told my daughter to follow me as we looked down the aisles towards the rear of the store for the toilets and/or a sales assistant for directions.  In our quest my daughter pointed out the multitude of toilets on display and said, "Daddy there's a toilet".  I smiled and told her those aren't real toilets as we continued our search.  Locating a sales assistant first we inquired where the toilets were and she replied that there weren't any.  Seeing my apparent shock she suggested I try the public swimming pool a quarter mile down the road. Did I mention the wind and rain?...  Needless to say we left our shopping and headed hastily for the exit.  As we passed the toilet displays once again the thought of encouraging my daughter to relieve herself crossed my mind as a token of our appreciation.  Instead of aiming for the swimming pool as suggested I gambled on Richard Williams.  Richard Williams is an old school DIY store with less selection than B&Q but plenty of the essentials including a restroom for staff and customers alike.

Why, must I ask, is providing such a basic service for a customer such as a toilet "old school".  Yes we know that councils across the UK are shutting down public restrooms due to a lack of funds.  Lack of public toilets in the UK should put us right smack dab on the bottom of most tourist guides.  If the Lonely Planet thinks our UK attractions are over priced and overvalued just wait and see the calamity posed by no restroom facilities.

Regardless, I regret not being able to spend my time and money in B&Q.  I'm surprised a store that size doesn't have a zoned responsibility or a customer compliance policy that requires them to provide services for those needing to "spend a penny".  Worse yet, if there is no policy in place I'm surprised at the British public for accepting this abdominal treatment as the norm.

Next time you happen to be in a B&Q be sure to ask when the toilets are, not where.

signed,
one sad Dad


      or maybe.....