K-Town offers shoppers ‘friendly toilets’

Visitors and shoppers in Kaiserslautern will be able to use a new service — the “Nette Toilette,” or friendly toilet. Red stickers with a smiley face show where public bathrooms are available for free.

“With this campaign we are able to offer more convenience and service to our residents and visitors,” said Kaiserslautern’s Lord Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel.
Such an offer is needed in every city that places its emphasis on tourism, shopping and attractiveness.

Since the middle of April, 17 restaurant and pub owners as well as four public establishments have offered their bathrooms for public use.

“The friendly toilets can be found everywhere in the center of town,” Dr. Weichel said.

Some bathrooms offer the possibility to change diapers and some are easily accessible for wheelchairs.

“Nette Toilette” is a campaign that started in 2001 in Germany, and there are about 100 participating cities.

“We hope this campaign will also set a precedent in Kaiserslautern and takes (away) the fear of entering public toilets,” said Alexander Hess, chief of the project office for city events.

Flyers listing all locations with a “Nette Toilette” can be found in stores and restaurants or on the Web at www.kaiserslautern.de.