The main toilet block in the Market Yard is set to close, but members of the public will be able to use the toilets inside the Cheese and Grain, town councillors have agreed.
The Changing Places’ accessible cubicle, located within the Market Yard block, will remain open and will now be maintained by the Cheese and Grain.
At Frome Town Council’s Operations and Assets Committee meeting earlier this month, councillors voted to close the main toilet block, saying it is expensive to maintain and has reached the end of its life.
However, Cllr Steve Tanner said the closure will allow the council to ‘work with the community on how best to use and invest in this important part of town.’
Cllr Steve Tanner said, “People expect to be able to access toilet facilities in the town centre and this arrangement with the Cheese and Grain will mean they will be available all day, every day.
“This is a proactive, practical solution for providing a facility where the existing toilets are no longer fit for purpose. Rather than continuing to rely on substandard facilities that require increasing amounts of resource, we’re choosing a better-quality offer in the short term and a more strategic approach in the long term.”
Frome Town Council took on the Market Yard toilets from Somerset Council last year to save them from closure, as the authority sought to cut costs during its financial emergency.
Frome Town Council said that last year the toilets cost £53,000 to maintain. This year, the toilets have already cost £14,000, with the expected overall cost expected to be £59,000 by the end of the year.
A dedicated budget has been set aside to support additional toilet facilities during larger events such as The Frome Independent and the Children’s Festival.
Director of the Cheese and Grain, Steve Macarthur said, “The Cheese and Grain has always been an integral part of Frome’s civic and cultural life and we’re pleased to support this practical and sustainable solution to help meet the town’s needs and as stakeholders in this area, to being part of any future plans.”
However, at the Operations and Assets meeting, not all councillors were in favour of the toilets being shut. Cllr Polly Lamb said she was ‘frustrated’ with the closure and that it was “a big deal for the town to lose them.” She said, “It’s just public right to be going to the toilet and I don’t think we are looking after that by doing this.”
Before the vote, other councillors shared concerns around a potential increase in antisocial behaviour if the toilets are closed. Cllr Mel Usher said, “You know what’s going to happen it’s just going to be vandalised and a lot more anti-social behaviour around there. Whereas if it’s used and maintained that will happen less.”
The changes will come into effect on 1st September, with clear signage to indicate the new arrangement.
Additionally, the ‘You’re Welcome’ scheme provides access to toilets across the town in cafés, pubs and venues with no obligation to make a purchase. Find out more about You’re Welcome at https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/our-community/youre-welcome.
