RAIL passengers needing to spend a penny but not buying a pint are becoming a source of frustration for a pub near a train station.
Railway Tavern landlord and landlady Paul and Linda Farwell say their pub is inundated with train users in need of the loo - because of the long-term closed toilets at nearby Weymouth train station.
Weymouth Railway Station’s toilets were closed as a result of anti-social behaviour in 2011 and still remain shut today.
After the recent £1m refit of the train station, South Western Railway - which is responsible for the toilets - has said there are no plans to re-open them.
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Mr and Mrs Farwell say that in the summer months they can have from 50 to 100 people a day from the train station coming in asking to use the toilets. This is despite a sign on the door saying the toilets are for customers only.
Mr Farwell said: "You would not believe the abuse we get. I had one guy try to fight me about it when I told him to use the public toilets on the seafront.
"People come in and say 'it is a public bar we can use the toilets'. It is a public bar but not a public toilet. We are not here to support the station with toilets.
"We always let children and pregnant ladies use it but it shouldn't be our responsibility. My business is hard enough without subsidising the railway station."
The Railway Tavern is only a few metres from the entrance to the railway station and is often the first pub people see upon entering Weymouth.
A spokesperson for South Western Rail said: "The toilets at Weymouth station were closed due to regrettably unacceptable levels of anti-social behaviour.
"We are very sorry for any inconvenience or discomfort this causes customers. While there are no plans to reopen them at this stage, customers with valid tickets can use the toilets on the trains that are typically stationed at the platforms at most times of the day.
"We have also indicated other alternatives on a map at the station.”
The nearest public toilets are at the Swannery car park, which are pay to enter, and at the King's Statue on the seafront.
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