Loss of public toilets could end major local event, council chief is warned

* The Old Railway Trail parkrun celebrated its first anniversary in June. An official warns it might have to end if Llangollen's public toilets are lost.

A major local event attended by hundreds every week may be forced to end if Llangollen's public toilets are lost.

That's the message to Denbighshire's county council chief from one of the organisers. 

In a bid to balance its budget, Denbighshire aims to shed all the public conveniences it runs across the county and offer local town and community councils the chance to take them over.

This includes the toilets in Llangollen’s Market Street. But the Town Council has already ruled out a take-over on the grounds that it would be beyond its financial means and lead to a big increase on the amount it draws from the council tax.

The idea that a major tourist town like Llangollen stands to lose its busy public loos has sparked major protests on social media ranging over the past couple of months since the plan was revealed.

A public meeting will be held on the issue at the Town Hall in Parade Street tomorrow (Tuesday August 6) starting at 6pm.

Meanwhile, Mike Edwards has emailed county chief executive Graham Boase to urge the council to "carefully consider " the closure of the toilets.

He says: "I write to you as Co-Event Director of the Old Railway Trail parkrun which takes place every Saturday morning at 9am from our Health Centre. We launched the events in June 2023, last week saw our 59th parkrun which regularly attracts hundred runners plus every week. 

"There is no access to public toilets for participants other than the Market Street toilets where people also park when visiting our town. 

"We are glad to be part of the parkrun community, but may be forced to end the event if there are no public toilets available for participants because we always attract a good proportion of tourists to each event." 

Mr Edwards also cites another major annual event which would be hit if the toilets were lost to the town. 

He gives a link to a news story highlighting the fact that over 50,000 music-lovers visited Llangollen during June and July for a series of evenings concerts, featuring headliners such as Tom Jones and the Manic Street Preachers. 

Mr Edwards adds: "The decision also needs to be made taking into account of the impact closure will have on the income produced by the Market Street car park, which you will know produces more revenue than any other carpark in Denbighshire. 

"Without public toilets coaches and cars will not park at Market Street to the extent they do now and this will also effect businesses in Llangollen reducing their trade.

"I would ask you to bring the above points to the attention of Council when they consider this decision."