Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Dirty toilets put most Brits off returning to restaurants
A YouGov online survey of 2,012 British adults by Cannon Hygiene, highlights the huge importance people put on the cleanliness and upkeep of washrooms. It shows how dirty washrooms not only put Brits off returning to restaurants, but also encourages them to warn others about the unhygienic conditions. For example:
* 85% warn friends and family members about bad facilities with 76% put off by what they're told
* Laying toilet paper down on seats (24%), squatting above the loo (29%) and using elbows to open doors (21%) are all common practice in public restrooms
* Biggest bugbears include cleanliness (90%), lack of toilet paper (89%) and soap (70%), bad smells (63%) and weak hand driers (54%)
* Older Brits are more likely to be put off returning because of poor facilities versus millennials - 99% of over 55s versus 94% of 18-24 year olds
In a nutshell, the new research revealed how people are put off eating in restaurants because of the poor standards of the loos.
The new data has revealed that Brits are sticklers for the hygiene of toilets in bars, restaurants and other public places with many taking extra steps to avoid germs.
Over 97% of people would be put off returning to a restaurant or bar because of poor toilets, while 85% will also warn friends and family members planning on going to a restaurant, if the toilets are in a bad condition.
The research revealed that more than three quarters (76%) of people would also be put off visiting a restaurant or bar because a friend or family member told them the toilets were in a poor state.
Unclean facilities (90%), a lack of toilet paper (89%), no soap (70%) and bad smells (63%) are the biggest bugbears for the public when it comes to washrooms.
British people are most likely to squat above the toilet (29%), lay toilet paper on the seat (24%), and cover their hands when holding doors (23%) to avoid touching unhygienic surfaces. Nearly one in five of (19%) also admits to holding their breath in toilets.
Older Brits are more likely to care than millennials, with nearly all (99%) over 55s saying unclean toilets would put them off returning versus 95% of 18-24 year olds, and that women are more likely to warn friends about bad standards than men (88% versus 81%).
We also don't keep it to ourselves. When it comes to complaining, 60% said they would be likely to bring it up with staff directly, while a quarter (24%) say they'd make a public complaint on social media.
"Many of us are conscious of the upkeep of restrooms in public places, particularly those where food is being prepared as it suggests a lot about the hygiene elsewhere in the building," says Howard Sedgwick, managing director of Cannon Hygiene.
"Britons are clearly sticklers for good hygiene and the data suggests that a huge majority of us aren't willing to put up with poor standards with many going above and beyond to warn friends, family and followers on social media when they've had a bad experience.
"It's a warning to restaurants, bars, hotels and others in the retail and leisure sector that their repeat business can goes out of the window very quickly if customers are forced to use facilities that aren't up to scratch."
Established in 1955 by husband and wife team, Stanley and Alys Kennon, Cannon Hygiene employs 700 people in the UK alone where it operates 19 customer service centres, with a fleet of over 400 vehicles. It was acquired by the OCS Group in 1983 but remains a family business - now in its fifth generation. The OCS Group delivers services in total facilities management across aviation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
4th January 2018