Portsmouth has two and a half times as many public toilets per person as Southampton

Portsmouth has around two and a half times as many public toilets per resident as Southampton, according to new analysis.

The research by Fast Loan UK used data from the Great British Public Toilet Map (toiletmap.org.uk). It found that Portsmouth has 74 publicly mapped toilets for around 223,000 residents, which works out at 3.31 for every 10,000 people.

Southampton, a larger city with around 250,000 residents, has 33 publicly mapped toilets. That is 1.32 for every 10,000 people.

Portsmouth City Council lists 21 council-run public toilets across the city. It also runs a community toilet scheme, in which local businesses let members of the public use their toilets without buying anything.

Schemes like this can make a real difference to how easy it is to find a toilet away from the seafront and main shopping areas. They are particularly useful for older residents, people with health conditions and families with young children.

The analysis also looked at how often public toilets charge. Across the UK, 14.68% of publicly mapped toilets charge for entry, at an average cost of 31p. In the towns at the top of the table, including Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and Boston, more than 60% charge.

The findings come as the International Day of Older Persons is marked on 1 October.

Joe Brunt at Fast Loan UK said: "One of the most interesting things this data shows is that percentages can be deceptive. That's why we need to look beyond a single figure when talking about public toilet access. The real question isn't just how many toilets charge, it's whether, when someone needs one, there is a free and accessible option within reach. For someone planning a day out, percentages mean very little. What matters is the practical reality: can you find a toilet when you need one, and do you have a choice if you can't or don't want to pay?"

With Southsea seafront, Gunwharf Quays and the Historic Dockyard drawing large numbers of visitors, toilet provision matters to tourists as well as local people.

The Great British Public Toilet Map is an open map of toilets that the public can use, built from council data and contributions from the public. The figures cover toilets listed on the map, so some facilities may not be included.

Residents can find details of council toilets and the community toilet scheme on Portsmouth City Council's website. Toiletmap.org.uk shows toilets across the city.