Nominations and are now being received for the 2009 Loo of the Year Awards - the annual competition to find the best places 'to go' in Britain, Ireland and The Channel Islands.

The competition, now in its 22nd year, is promoted by The British Toilet Association and is also supported by the national tourism bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Despite the economic downturn, the need for hotels, restaurants, public and private organisations to meet the needs of guests, customers, residents and visitors has never been more important. Provision of clean hygienic and inclusive toilet facilities demonstrates to guests, customers, and other users, that the provider values this essential requirement.

"We're expecting to exceed last year's total of over 1700 entries," said managing director, Mike Bone. "With the government's increasing interest in the number and quality of toilets available for public access, now is the time for toilet providers throughout the UK to ensure their loos receive proper recognition through our annual grading scheme. Good loos are proven to be good for business as well as for Britain." Any 'away from home' toilet can be entered in one of 60 different entry categories covering all types of commercial or public locations. There is a 'Hospitality' entry section that includes categories for Hotels, Restaurants, Quick Service/Fast Food Restaurants, Cafes and Coffee Shops Pubs & Wine Bars, Night Clubs, and Conference & Banqueting Venues.

Every entry receives a dedicated unannounced inspection visit and entries gaining three, four or five stars are presented with a Grading Certificate - to help them promote their Award winning facilities to their customers and staff. A range of Awards and Trophies will be presented at the prestigious Awards Event on Friday 4 December in Birmingham. Anyone can nominate any number of 'away from home' loos, via the Awards 24 hour hotline: 01403 258779 or via email: [email protected]

The 2009 Loo of the Year Awards will be launched at The Cleaning Show being held at NEC form 10th to 12th March (Stand C41). Full details and an Entry Form will be available on the Awards website www.loo.co.uk from that date. Further information is available on the Awards website: www.loo.co.uk