Facelift work on Market Street toilets due to start in November

Work is underway to refurbish several public toilets across Denbighshire following collaborative working to keep most county facilities open.

The loos in Market Street are due to close on November 2 and reopen November 21.

Last November the council’s Cabinet agreed proposals that will keep most public toilets in the county open thanks to the support of city, town and community councils.

They were developed after money received by the council had not kept up with financial pressures and the increasing cost of delivering services, especially statutory services like social care and education. This meant less money to spend on “Place-Making” services, like public toilets.

The council says it recognises the importance of public toilets, however they are a non-statutory service, and local authorities have no legal obligation to provide them.

Despite this, the council worked together with city, town and community councils on a sustainable model to fund and protect as many facilities as possible. This model includes direct financial contributions from the city, town and community councils.

To enable the city town and community councils and Denbighshire County Council to keep the toilets open there will be an entry charge to access the facilities, which will be £1, by contactless payment only, in the case of Market Street, Llangollen.

Part of this work includes refurbishing some of the facilities that were saved thanks to the collaborative working carried out. The refurbishments have been funded by PiPif funding – Pride in place impact fund.

Dates of completion can be subject to change due to the weather or other external factors, says the council.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said, “Thanks to the positive energy and collaboration with the city, town and community councils we were able to keep most of the public facilities open. This refurbishment programme will greatly improve the facilities moving forward for future use by residents and visitors to the county.”

"I’d like to also thank everyone for their support and patience while this refurbishment work is carried out.”

* Further information regarding current public toilet facilities and entry charges in Denbighshire is available here