Spending a penny is the less glamorous end of a day at the races but toilet provision is a practical consideration.

Fortunately, extra portable toilets will be provided in the main streets of Chester city centre during the May festival (May 10-12) – it may not be the most pleasant environment but when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go, especially after a few drinks.

And Chester Race Company will be providing additional stewards who, together with PCSOs, will be making sure naughty revellers don’t decide to urinate down residential streets like Grey Friars and Black Friars. You have been warned!

The Tattersalls in the foreground with the Dee Stand in the background at Chester Racecourse
The Tattersalls in the foreground with the Dee Stand in the background at Chester Racecourse

Remember, toilets at Chester Railway Station are conveniently located for many and open til late.

And there is a plentiful supply of WCs, including fully accessible toilets, at the racecourse itself so little to worry about there.

Permanent public toilets are dotted around the city centre if you know where to look. But a note of caution; most close in the early evening.

The following council-owned public conveniences are open to everybody but also include a unisex wheel-chair accessible toilet facility – operated using a RADAR key:

■ Princess Street (under the market)

■ Frodsham Street, which also includes a 24-hour urinal and a changing places toilet for baby-changing

■ Union Street, inside Grosvenor Park

The Groves, near the suspension bridge

■ Little Roodee car park where the fun fair is located during the May festival

In addition, accessible toilet facilities are available at The Grosvenor Shopping Centre .

Chester Railway Station is a good place for a toilet stop.

There are also several city centre shops, bars and restaurants signed up to the community toilet scheme which allows members of the public to use their facilities without having to be a customer of the business.

Organisations in the scheme include Tesco in Frodsham Street, Nando’s in Bridge Street, Chester Bells in Grosvenor Street, Pitcher and Piano in St John Street, Burger King in Foregate Street plus DIAL House in Hamilton Place and within the Kaleyards car park.