BATHROOMS
THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY
59
Perceptions of Hygiene
Bathrooms
We all value cleanliness and in today’s society included, that respondents perceive trains
it has become common practice to rate the to be dirty. Additional thoughts included
bathrooms when visiting hospitality venues. Our that toilets can’t be monitored or cleaned
perception of the venues we visit is often limited properly on long journeys, making them more
to the few spaces we can access and experience, susceptible to mess, nasty smells and lacking
the washrooms being one of these. toilet paper and soap.
The latest results from the washroom survey BOG STANDARD DÉCOR
commissioned by Formica Group revealed that Regionally East Anglia was the area that was
over half (55%) of Brits rate the cleanliness impacted most by the style of the bathroom
of public toilets across the UK as adequate or with 48% of respondents revealing that the
worse. overall bathroom aesthetic would impact how
comfortable they felt using the facilities. Wales,
NEGLECTED TOILET FACILITIES SEND on the other hand, were less concerned with
REPUTATIONS DOWN THE DRAIN only 34% of people revealing the décor would
Overall two-thirds of Brits agree that the impact their opinion of the establishment.
cleanliness of a bathroom would be likely to When asked if the décor in public washrooms
influence their perception of the quality in other affects their perception of how the bathroom
areas of the establishment, for example, the smells over half (57%) agreed it did have
food served or the cleanliness of the bedrooms
in a hotel. the importance of an overarching impression of
When it comes to public washroom ratings men the risk of tarnishing their reputation.
and women have reasonably equal standards of
cleanliness. 57% of women reported that they
have visited a public bathroom which was so bad
it put them off revisiting the venue compared
cleanliness, dip below this and the company runs
URINE TROUBLE IF YOU NEED TO SPEND A
PENNY HERE
The results show that Brits rated train toilets
an effect. Brits are least impressed by neon
colours (3%) and earthy tones (9%) when
it comes to bathroom decor. Paler colour
palettes including whites and creams (39%)
and cool colours including blues, greens and
grey (18%) give the greatest impression of
cleanliness.
to 53% of men. One respondent commented; as being the most unpleasant to use, with over The results highlight that public washrooms
“if the toilets are not clean personally it raises half (53%) admitting they would be reluctant to enable consumers to instantly form an
my concerns about the cleanliness of the entire use them. This is followed by nightclubs (25%), overall impression of an establishment’s level
establishment and its staff.” More than two- motorway services (22%), pubs (21%) and fast- of cleanliness. Indicating that hospitality
thirds of women (76%) agree and say if they food restaurants (21%). businesses should focus heavily on upscaling
and ensuring their toilets are always fully
were to see the toilets were inadequate before
eating or drinking they would leave the venue. When asked why those surveyed would be maintained to achieve that all-important ‘wow’
67% of men agree, highlighting the extent of reluctant to use train toilets common answers factor.
WEBSITE: www.formica.com