New Highland Council signs to point public to 'comfort' stops
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Highland Council has unveiled new branding for an initiative encouraging businesses to open their toilets for general public use.
The local authority’s comfort scheme signposts those in need to participating premises, including where a community has taken charge of ex-council toilets.
The new logos come in two different formats, one for premises accessible to all and another for those without accessible toilets.
The logos were developed to provide an identity for the Highland comfort scheme which currently counts a membership of 37 in the Highlands.
A full list can be found on the comfort scheme website, although some have not yet reopened because of Scottish Government guidance on Covid-19.
All comfort scheme providers have been issued with window or door stickers of the logo to display, along with digital logos for websites and letterheads.
Councillor Allan Henderson, Highland Council’s communities and place committee chairman, said: “We are delighted to launch this new, recognisable branding for the Highland Comfort Scheme.
“We have already seen many tourists return to our magnificent countryside since lockdown rules were relaxed, but it is important while enjoying everything our nature has to offer that the call of nature can also be answered in comfort.
“We would like to thank all those premises who are helping provide rest rooms for visitors, which will hopefully negate the need for people to relieve themselves in our open spaces.”
The Highland Council website has the most up-to-date information and will help visitors identify a comfort scheme while they are travelling around the area.
The comfort scheme complements 75 public conveniences operated by Highland Council, providing a total of 112 public toilets in the region.
Businesses and organisations are encouraged to register interest in becoming a comfort scheme provider, with grants available where there is currently a lack of public convenience provision.
Grants range from £100-£300 per month on a seven or 12-month basis and are offered as a contribution towards the running costs of the toilets.
Potential benefits of involvement include: community goodwill, charging or donations of up to 50p per visit and increased footfall.
Those interested can contact the scheme’s administrators at HighlandComfortScheme@highland.gov.uk
