A controversial community toilet scheme in Oxford is set to expand just a year after it was launched.

Oxford City Council is calling on more stores and restaurants to open their loos to shoppers who get caught short.

The scheme, in which businesses offer their facilities to shoppers, was launched just over a year ago.

But now some shoppers and business leaders have questioned how well it is working and whether the council was shirking its responsibility for the issue. Nine businesses are taking part in the scheme.

Graham Jones, of retail campaign group ROX, said he doubted whether many more small businesses would sign up to the scheme.

He said: “I know a lot of them are nervous about it. There is always the worry of security.

“The city council should be providing decent facilities. Shops are being asked to take on the duty of the city council to a certain extent.”

In June 2009 the city council launched a consultation into whether to close 11 of the city’s 27 public toilets to save £50,000 a year, announcing plans for the community toilet scheme at the same time.

But many campaigned for the city council-run toilets to be kept.

The decision was eventually made to close only the Barns Road, Cowley, and Castle Street toilets in the city centre and one disabled cubicle at Headington Hill.

Wolvercote Port Meadow and Hinksey Park toilets have become seasonal, opening from May until September depending on weather.

Dorian Hancock, 63, from Littlemore, said he thought the city council should provide more public loos.

He added: “I think the city council has a moral obligation to provide toilets. What about the people of Oxford who pay their council tax?”

Firms signed up to the scheme can indicate the availability of toilets with a sticker in their window.

But not all have taken up the offer of displaying it. Ali Dunn, manager of The King’s Arms, said they did not display it because they wanted to be able to refuse people, although that rarely happened.

City councillor John Tanner, the cabinet member for a cleaner, greener Oxford, said: “The scheme has been very successful. We have learnt from the first year of operation and I want to see it better publicised and expanded.”

The need for more public toilets was highlighted by Age UK Oxfordshire. Spokesman Rachelle Kennedy said: “We are delighted with the planned expansion.”

Oxford Mail reporter Damian Fantato tested out the scheme last Monday. Of six establishments he visited, only Pizza Hut in George Street did not let him use the loos.

Manager Ziggy Dockenheim said: “I have never stopped people using the toilet. On Monday we were very busy because the other restaurant was closed.”