Takeaways’ margins could be heading for the toilet if small businesses are forced to comply with new ruling
THOUSANDS of London takeaways could see margins hit hard by a new High Court ruling that requires them to have public toilets, the Federation of Small Business (FSB) has warned.
FSB is concerned that the new ruling opens the door to small businesses being forced to refurbish their premises in order to comply with “heavy handed local regulation”, either by providing new toilet facilities, or by removing their seating areas.
In 2015, guidance was given to councils which said that takeaways with fewer than 10 seats would not be required to provide customer toilet facilities. On17 May, the High Court ruled in favour of a challenge made by Hull City Council.
Sue Terpilowski OBE, London Policy Chairman, FSB said: “It’s not reasonable to expect your local chippy to build customer toilets when almost all their customers will be eating their food elsewhere.
“If the 33 London Boroughs are concerned about a lack of public loos, they should provide them – not small businesses on tight margins.”