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Sanitary accommodation, etc. in shops
Certificates of Exemption
Under Section 38 of the Shops Act, 1950, the Council may grant
a certificate exempting a shop from the provision of suitable and
sufficient water closet accommodation if they are satisfied that by
reason of restricted accommodation or other special circumstances
affecting the shop it is reasonable that such a certificate should be
in force, and that suitable and sufficient sanitary accommodation is
otherwise conveniently available.
The Council have decided that in those shops where members of
both sexes are employed, separate sanitary conveniences for each sex
should be required if the number of employees exceeds four, but if the
number is less than four, one sanitary convenience should be regarded as
suitable and sufficient, provided that the door of the convenience is
fitted with a proper lock or fastener on the internal side, and an
automatic indicator shows on the external side of the door whether the
apartment is engaged or vacant.
During the year 1959, two exemption certificates under the
Shops Act were granted in respect of the provision of sanitary accommodation.
Similarly, under the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955, exemption
may now be granted in food shops in respect of the provision of constant
water supply, washhand basins with hot and cold water, cupboard or locker
accommodation for outdoor clothing and facilities for washing food and
equipment, if such provision cannot reasonably be required.
During 1959s two exemption certificates were issued under the
Food Hygiene Regulations in respect of water supply and sinks in food
shops.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1958,
transferred to metropolitan borough councils, from 1st January, 1959,
the responsibility for enforcing provisions of the Shops Act, 1950,
relating to adequate lighting, suitable and sufficient washing facilities
and, where employees take any meals in the shop premises, suitable and
sufficient facilities for taking those meals. The Council may grant
an exemption certificate in respect of washing facilities if they are
satisfied that it is reasonable to do so because of restricted accommodation
or other circumstances. The London County Council sent particulars of
shops where exemption certificates had been granted by them; in nine
cases these have been replaced by certificates issued by the Council, and
in five cases the exemption certificates were cancelled.
The London County Council are empowered to retain the above
functions in relation to any shop at a place of public entertainment,
and they gave formal notice that the transfer of functions will not
apply to the following premises in Kensington :-
Twentieth Century Theatre 291, Westbourne Grove, W.ll.
Imperial Playhouse 191, Portobello Road, W.11.
Royalty Cinema 105-109, Lancaster Road, W.11.
Classic Cinema 87, Notting Hill Gate, W.ll.
The Gaumont Notting Hill Gate, W.ll.
Odeon Theatre 263, Kensington High Street, W.8.
Chanticleer Theatre Clareville Street, S.W.7.
Paris Pullman Cinema Drayton Gardens, S.W.10.
Forum Theatre 142-150, Fulham Road, S.W.10.