A lack of public toilets means more people are finding themselves caught short when out shopping. Cathy Spencer finds out which businesses will allow the public to spend a penny at their convenience.

Most people have been caught short while out shopping, and finding a public toilet can turn into a mission impossible.

You usually have two choices – either dive into your nearest fast food restaurant and pretend you are a paying customer, or find a pub and keep your eyes glued to the floor as you walk stealth-like past the bar to the lavatory.

However, a recent report has recommended that councils pay local businesses, such as shops, cafes and pubs, to provide public access to their toilets.

I decided to find out if any businesses in the Black Country are happy to open their toilet doors to the public.

My first port of call was West Bromwich and Parker Rose Property Management in Carters Green.

I went to the front desk and the manager of the deserted office was obviously pleased to see me, thinking I was enquiring about one of his properties.

It was not surprising that he took a step back when I cheekily asked if I could use his toilet and looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Unsure what to do he said: “Ok” and opened the hatch in the front desk, which stretched across the length of the office.

He pointed to the loo, which was behind a door in the corner of the office.

As I left, I thanked the manager and headed over the road to the News Centre newsagents to ask if I could use their facilities.

The quick answer from the girl behind the desk was a no as they share their toilet with the shop next door and are not allowed to let the public use it.

A customer suggested I tried a pub over the road called The Marksman and he even told me where the toilets were so I could walk straight in without having to ask.

Walking into the crowded pub I told the harassed barman I was not a customer but could I use their toilet.

Without hesitation he pointed me in the direction of the lavatories.

My last stop in West Bromwich was at Big Daddy’s caribbean takeaway and eat-in restaurant.

The owner told me they don’t have any toilets for the public, but they are working on it.

Recent figures show almost 1,000 public conveniences have been shut since the start of the decade.

Local authorities have no duty to provide lavatories under the Public Health Act 1936 and many seek to get rid of them as they are often beacons for drug-taking, sex and vandalism.

Next I tried Dudley town centre and as I parked up in Priory Road I looked towards the leafy, green Coronation Gardens and spotted a man in his 40s urinating in a hedge while his friend stood guard.

Just feet away from him was the council offices and so decided I would make them my first place to go for a loo break.

Getting through the door wasn’t easy due to the intercom entry system but once I was in, the guard on the front desk looked at me suspiciously but pointed in the direction of the toilets. I thought The Old Priory pub would also be just as welcoming but I was stopped at their door by a clear sign saying: “These toilets are for customer’s use only”.

Undeterred I headed up New Street where James hair salon took pity on me as did Specsavers in Castle Street.

However, Wilkinsons in Dudley High Street told me their toilet is up four flights of stairs and they are not insured to take customers up there.

Next on my list was Walsall and Dorothy Perkins, which is popular with pregnant women who are renowned for weak bladders.

However, the shop assistant turned me away saying they do have toilets but customers are not allowed to use them.

She recommended I try McDonald’s.

Also in the main shopping area of Park Street is Boots but a girl on the make-up counter said they had baby changing facilities but no toilets – had I tried McDonald’s?

H Samuel must get a few anxious customers needing to visit the loo before buying that expensive engagement ring.

The shop assistant said they only have toilets for staff, and added that everyone usually goes to McDonald’s.

Desperate by this point I marched into McDonald’s and up to one of their cleaners, called Pat, and told her I hadn’t bought anything but could I please use their toilet.

“Of course,” she said. “Help yourself – don’t worry a lot of people come in to just use the toilets.”

Finding yourself miles from the nearest public convenience may leave you with a dilemma, but luckily the concept of the kindly shopkeeper hasn’t disappeared down the pan.