If I am in a shop with no public toilets what reason would they have for refusing me use of their staff toilets? Is there any law covering this? Is there a health and safety reason?
I think shops only have to provide toilets if they serve food to be consumed on the premises eg cafes or restaurants. Take aways are not included in this.
It's probaby because they are in a staff area where they don't want strangers wandering round. There may be stock lying around, there could be personal belongings about. They would be leaving themselves open to theft.
The law covering it is the basic retail tennet: "The management reserve the right to refuse service" they do not have to provide a loo or explain why or let you use the staff loo.
+ they are private toilets and don't want them being open to the public.
Not meaning you, but the general public tend to leave a mess, i work in a retail outlet, our toilets are staff only but not behind the scenes, so the public tend to ignore the staff only sign and go in anyway.
They pee all over the seats, and also left soiled nappies and used sanitary towels just knocking around for us to clean up after them.