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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 or washing facilities 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 accommodation or facilities are 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 1960, one exemption certificate under the
Shops Act was granted in respect of the provision of water closet
accommodation.
Similarly, under the Pood Hygiene Regulations, exemption
may now be granted in food shops in respect of the provision of
constant water supply, wash-hand 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 1960, no exemption certificate was issued under the
Pood Hygiene Regulations.
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 London County Council are empowered, however, to
retain the above functions in relation to any shop at a place of
public entertainment, and they have given 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.ll
Royalty Cinema (Closed) 105-109 Lancaster Road, W.ll
Classic Cinema 87 Notting Hill Gate, W„ll
The Gaumont Notting Hill Gate, W.ll
Odeon Theatre 263 Kensington High Street,
W.0
Chanticleer Theatre Clareville Street, S.W.7
Paris Pullman Cinema Drayton Gardens, S.W.10
Forum Theatre 142-150 Fulham Road, S.W.10