Toilet policy left me with nowhere to go

I asked to speak to the manager, who confirmed that, on grounds of 'health and safety', they would not accommodate my request. I was amazed at their attitude to my 'emergency'.

Toilets usually available to the public in this vicinity are at B&Q and Waitrose, but both were closed (it being Sunday). The manager seemed almost delighted to tell me they do not even accommodate mothers with small children who may also need this facility. The manager shrugged his shoulders when I asked him what I was supposed to do. I was totally embarrassed and mortified by their refusal and left the store as soon as possible. With hindsight, I wish I had just stayed in the store and let nature take its course.

Suffice to say, my walk home was damp and uncomfortable and I may have even unwittingly committed a crime of urinating in public.

What an attitude – Iceland obviously have no regard for the welfare of their customers.

To add insult to injury, when I got home, I discovered the product I purchased in store had broken packaging, but no way was I taking it back to complain and will not set foot in there again. I hope you publish this letter and shame the supermarket concerned.

Name and address withheld.

Editor's footnote: A spokesman for Sandpiper replies: 'We have every sympathy with your correspondent's comments; however, the Iceland store at Admiral Park does not have convenience facilities suitable for use by members of the public.

The only toilets available at the store are at the back of the warehouse/storage area. The toilets are situated in a hazardous area used by forktrucks, among high storage and within part of the store's security area.

Recently, a visitor not familiar with one of our warehouse layouts was injured while moving through a similar area. For that reason, along with advice from our insurers, it is with much regret that our toilet facilities are not available to members of the public.'