I have been asked to for advice from a local volunteer group who regularly hire a room for use as a drop in centre.  Until recently the group have been allowed to access the single (accessible) toilet located within the building.  Following an incident which has raised concerns relating to the safeguarding of the lone working member of staff on site, the group have been informed that they now have to use the public toilets outside the building.  The internal toilet has now been designated as a staff toilet.  The public toilets are not always open at the same times as the group are on site.

I have seen a copy of the terms of hire for the room and there is no mention of the provision of welfare facilities.  I would have take it as read that if you are hiring a room for a full day then you would have access to welfare facilities and you would not be expected to have to leave the building to use local public facilities. As this is not a place of work for the group I am unsure where they stand legally.

Does anyone have any info which may help.