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I think there just aren't as many homeless perhaps, and everyone, including most businesses, have restrooms.

• OJFord 7y ago
  I don't think it's underutilisation by homeless people, but the prevalence of businesses with them is a good point. It's required of places serving food/drinks and having seating, which now you say it seems obviously motivated by solving the problem at source rather than leave it to the borough councils to subsidise.
• NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  They weren't for homeless people. It's more that government restrictions on funding any public service or amenity has forced councils to choose between public amenity, libraries and social care. Doesn't change the fact that many people have weaker bladders as they age, and we're in an ageing society. Then there's various conditions and illnesses like Chrons disease, or those who have small children in tow. They may all need unscheduled bathroom breaks at no notice. Now people are expected to "just wait" until they get home or to the office. Cities aren't really made for people any more. The people are secondary, a necessary annoyance.
• pjc50 7y ago
  They weren't built for the homeless, they were built for the public in general. Anyone who might need to go for any reason. It's true that mandatory private provision of toilets in food and drink serving businesses has greatly reduced the need, as has people's tendency to drive everywhere. But really they were closed due to cost-cutting imposed on the councils. (The number of homeless has ebbed and flowed depending on whether there was a Labour or a Conservative government)