Female loo voice in Church Stretton ‘too off-putting’

Monday 8th August 2011, 11:29AM BST.

Easthope Road, Church Stretton. Picture: Google StreetView
Easthope Road, Church Stretton. Picture: Google StreetView

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A female voice welcoming people to a public lavatory in Church Stretton has sparked complaints from men who say it is putting them off. Now views are sought on whether it should be changed.

Church Stretton Town Council launched a consultation today on whether the greeting at the Easthope Road public toilet should be changed to a masculine voice.

Deputy mayor Tom Beaumont said: “It’s one of these all singing, all dancing toilets which we have taken over control of from Shropshire Council.

“Since taking over the Easthope Road toilets in April we have had some comments about the voice which greets you when using the facility, with some gentlemen finding a lady’s voice very disconcerting.

“We have even had a vicar visit the town council to say he was a bit put off by this woman suddenly speaking to him inside.”

The town council has called on men to say whether they would like the voice to be changed, silenced or left alone.

Views can be e-mail to town clerk Christine Harvey on townclerk@ churchstretton-tc.gov.uk


  1. 1
    Rita the Greeta

    Is it really necessary to have a recorded greeting in a public toilet? All rather ‘American’ and silly, not to say insincere in my opinion. Couldn’t this money be better spent on maintaining the toilet properly? Have a nice day.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Nistagmus

    I should have thought it hard to aim whilst singing and dancing. My advise then – When visiting Church Stretton, Gentlemen, always wear your wellies.

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    CJ

    Well, ive never read such an old load of cods wallop. By the time youve opened the door, shut the door, locked the door, the female voice has said her piece and by that time its up to you! I have more pressing things to worry about when i need the loo than a female voice. Come on you men get a grip! Pardon the pun!

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    R Suppards

    I can imagine a much better “voiceover” – the ship’s computer Zen from Blake’s 7 : “ALL SYSTEMS ARE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY”.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Damo

    It would be interesting to hear more about the “consultation” launched by the council e.g. what are the objectives, target demographic, costs etc. More likely it’s just some words for the local paper.

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    atcham jack

    our aim is to keep this place clean. your aim may help.

    lower your seat please. lower yourself please. close the door after use.

    here are the football scores arsenal 2 swansea o, etc

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    atcham jack

    to raise seat please enter your 50p in the slot provided. to secure exit, please enter your 50p in the slot provided.

    now wash your hands

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    ad

    yes i would prefer joanna lumleys voice please like on my sat nav

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Mark

    I’d rather it was a lady’s voice than a recording of, say, John Inman announcing which of the cubicles is free.

    Or how about one of the early Robocop prototypes in Robocop 2 asking you to leave when your time in there is up?:

    “You have twenty seconds to comply”, followed my recorded machine gun fire.

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    David

    So a tourist – who is a vicar – complains and everyone must jump?

    Spend money more wisely please. The voice can be changed/removed when the toilets are next refurbished.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    Colin.D.

    I do hope none of these men, who are being “put off” by this female voice, ever have to use the toilets in Athens bus station.
    The first time I did, I was quite happily peeing away, in full flow, when a lady came in with a mop and bucket to clean up. Strange?? Yes, to me, but not the locals.
    Count your blessings gentlemen.

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    Ben Sidley

    I find the whole debate about whether it should be a male or female voice rather amusing. I think a lot depends on sexual orientation of the individual. Surely straight men prefer a females voice and viceversa. I know I would prefer a male voice.
    No guesses as to my orientation lol.

    Report abuse

    • JOHN JONES

      Do you have to tell everybody, The Council have had to close them in Shrewsbury. “Due to unsociable sexual behaviour” as the notice says on the door.

      Report abuse

  13. 13
    Nigel Williams

    Could I request Kylie Minogue pleeease!

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Jon

    I should think with the age range of folks in Stretton and the prostate problems that come with it, there wouldn’t be any issues with stage fright.

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    SQUIRREL

    Does the women’s toilet have a man’s voice?

    As far as I am concerned any voice is off putting, I don’t want any voice talking to me when I am using the loo.

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    Darren Forster

    This one caught my eye when just looking through the news stories, seriously a loo that talks to you?

    It’ bad enough that my DVD recorder says HELLO and GOODBYE to me when I turn it on and off, without something as tacky as a toilet welcoming you.

    I think maybe turn it off, it’s just a waste of electric, and are we not meant to be cutting down on wasting energy or is it solar powered?

    The day I will get really worried is when I’m in a toilet that asks me “Do you want me to wipe your backside for you?” – LOL!

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    Briony Anslow

    If you do change the voice, could I Elvis please. If so I would be in ever day.the best I think ” U.S. male” or ” It’s now or never”
    any other suggestion?

    Report abuse

  18. 18
    Steve James

    What a silly vicar. He obviously has too much time on his hands. Whitney Houston was piped into the mens loo at Telford Shopping Centre the other day and it didn’t put me off or make me want to pen a letter to the local paper.

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    DevilsChair

    There should be a random set of voices – Ozzy might make you laugh, Tony Blair might make you go… and especially for the moaners – Malcolm from ‘The Thick of it’ or even Aggie from that erm house cleaning program.

    Report abuse

  20. 20
    muckinfuddle

    who are the saddest, the people complaining about an electronic ladies voice in a toilet or, the people on the council taking notice and wanting consultation on the subject matter. Another waste of time and money, For goodness sake get some sanity into it.

    Report abuse



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