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Worrying about being caught short while shopping in London could be a thing of the past.
After seeing people struggling to find a convenience, two London entrepreneurs have invented a lavatory finder application for the iPhone.
"It is a problem everyone has faced," said inventor Jason Dunn.
If the location is in a hotel, it even offers tips on how to get past the doormen. "The only hotel that wouldn't let me in to use the toilet was actually the Ritz," said Mr Dunn. "However, for every other hotel we offer advice on exactly where the toilet is, so you don't have to ask for directions, and whether there is a dress code."
According to a study by City Hall, there has been a 40 per cent decline in public lavatories in London since 1999.
Boris Johnson has launched a scheme to work with supermarkets to open their facilities for the public. Mr Dunn and his business partner spent seven months collecting data on more than 300 publicly accessible lavatories. Toiluxe uses the iPhone's inbuilt GPS software to locate the user, then shows a map of their nearest loos, complete with directions.
"I used to work for a website called netdoctor, and we were inundated with people who suffered from incontinence," said Mr Dunn. "Seeing the distress they were in made me think what a useful app this could be for everybody."
Donald Strachan, who helped develop the 59p software, said: "I have young daughters, and it can be really difficult to find somewhere if they need the toilet."
Reader views (14)
and they told me an IP address was summat to do with computers....
- Ethan, EUSSR-North Sea region, 11/12/2009 23:28
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@ Anthony I used to work at Ealing Broadway, and if it's the same guy I'm thinking of then it's not the first time...
- James, United Kingdom, 11/12/2009 14:09
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You could always just pee your pants, just like the extremely drunk guy at Ealing Broadway did yesterday.
Half open flies and a huge wet patch on your jeans is not a look I'd recommend!
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey, 11/12/2009 13:36
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@ P staker. We can agree that there are free alternatives, but can we agree that what you say doesn't apply to every person out there? Some people can't wait: diabetics, parents with toddlers, pregnant women (and new mothers too), the elderly. The list is long, and that's before we get to the plain drunk.
Certainly, someone could fiddle around for a Google search term that finally works, but that is not as convenient as one might believe in this day and age, because the info you describe often doesn't exist. Don't just take my word on that - Google the phrase "London Toilets" and the only *mapped* results you'll get back are for companies that hire out port-a-loos.... Thanks Boris.... Westminster Council try harder than most, with their SMS service, but thats still only for public loos and there's hardly any of those left. A search on Google Maps for "Richmond Park Toilets" doesn't show any toilets at all, when there's loads of them dotted around the park.
@ Sally - you are so right about vandalism. It's the number one reason why public authorities don't provide more loos. It's such a shame.
- James, United Kingdom, 11/12/2009 12:56
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@ P staker. I don't think you're wrong in what you say, it's just that what you say doesn't apply to every person out there.
But don't take my word for it. You have the same Google I have. Search under "London Toilets" and the only *mapped* results are for companies that hire out port-a-loos.... Thanks Boris.... Westminster Council try harder than most, with their SMS service, but thats still only for public loos and there's hardly any of those left. A search on Google Maps for "Richmond Park Toilets" doesn't show any toilets at all, when there's nine of them dotted around. Certainly, someone could fiddle around for a Google search term that finally works, but it's not convenient. The information you describe often doesn't exist, hard as that might be to believe in this day and age. Fair enough?
- James, United Kingdom, 11/12/2009 12:43
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I hope its smart enough to handle the fact that most toilets in suburban railway stations are now locked up due to "vandalism" (in reality due to stations being unmanned to save money).
They have just spent a wad refitting the toilets in Eltham Station and they're now permanently locked to stop them being vandalised! Who came up with that logic!
And they wonder why people pee in the streets!
- Sally, SE London, 11/12/2009 12:37
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- "You're not one of the people that wrote the app are you by any chance are you, as you seem a bit touchy..."
Good grief P Stalker, after that little rant of yours I don't think you're someone to be calling people touchy!
The app costs 59p, which is less than a can of fizzy drink in most shops - and it's a one-off fee, so it's hardly extortionate.
Also, while in many places there will be obvious alternatives, (pubs, McDonalds etc) this won't apply everywhere.
Yes, of course people could faff about trying various permutations of Google searches on their phone to find a loo, but for many people this will be easier, faster and more convenient - which when trying to find a loo is all most people are interested in.
No, I didn't write the thing either, but if you want to see Machiavellian plots everywhere, feel free to think I did...
- John, London, 11/12/2009 12:24
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I love it! Yes I want somewhere nice to go to the loo - but also it's good to know where I can go to smarten up for a meeting. McDonald's is definitely not where a girl wants to powder her nose! Sally, Lav Nav, very funny!
- Ruby, London, UK, 11/12/2009 12:13
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@ James UK
You did not read what I put properly, the iphone has web access as I wrote, so if you were in Richmond Park you would just google toilets Richmond Park, and the result page comes up.
Being the iphone it then links and shows you where the toilets are, the point i was making was that it is a crap function, as you have web access on the iphone which helps you find anything toilets included.
If there is no web access where you are then the app wont work anyway.
You're not one of the people that wrote the app are you by any chance are you, as you seem a bit touchy someone pointing out it's flaw, and common sense use as a free alternative.
- P Staker, London, W8, 11/12/2009 11:50
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@ P Staker - if you were in the middle of Richmond Park, your nearest loo might be two miles walk or two minutes, depending on which way you choose to turn; your kids might not be able to wait, and nor could you if you were elderly, diabetic or pregnant. There's more than one sort of person in this world...
Only very large supermarkets have toilets, most pubs watch you like a hawk and McDonalds are usually grim. This app is for some who wants to freshen up in style. Maybe it's not for you, but that doesn't mean it's a crap idea.
- James, United Kingdom, 11/12/2009 11:37
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It's Lav Nav!
- Sally O'Brien, London, 11/12/2009 11:31
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59p to spend a penny? You're having a laugh, find the nearest pub.
- Bob, Cheam, 11/12/2009 11:29
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Crap idea, an i phone has net access so you can find a hotel, you can also use toilets at McDonalds, most supermarkets, pubs, you just need to use some common sense and think, mmmm now where could there be a toilet.
- P Staker, london, W8, 11/12/2009 11:07
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Only 59p, and will surely be every penny well spent. I lived in London for 10 years, and finding a loo in town was always a hassle.
However, will it stop doorways becoming public latrines during the small hours?
- Jock, Ardmair, Scotland, 11/12/2009 11:05
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