Having read about the possible scheme to provide public toilet facilities courtesy of local businesses (Free Press January 4), it’s quite obvious most people would agree with the comment by Minehead BID interim manager Andrew Hopkins when he says “It is in everyone’s interest to have the best possible toilet facilities”.

But I’m seriously left wondering how this scheme can possibly be implemented when many shops only have one staff toilet, some of which are situated up a flight of narrow stairs, which would mean no disabled access.

Public liability insurance would drastically increase, and health and safety issues would certainly arise.

I do not doubt the enthusiasm of members of Minehead Town Council in their attempt to implement this idea, although the logistics appear to be missing and it is doubtful if these important issues could be solved unanimously by an advisory group.

When it comes to saying businesses would be paid by the council to make their toilets available to non-customers and to keep them clean, well-maintained and accessible, this is asking rather too much of shopkeepers.

I have a feeling most people would say, if money can be found to do this, that it would be far better to upgrade the existing toilets in Minehead, install CCTV and not close half of them for a period of six months.

These measures would alleviate the need to set up consultations, and would not put unfair pressure on local businesses, some of which already struggle to cover their own expenditure.

Margaret Smith, Chapel Cleeve.