Town council to review closure of Market Yard toilets following public criticism

Frome Town Council has agreed to review the closure of the Market Yard toilets over the next few months, following public criticism and a petition launched by MP Anna Sabine urging the council to rethink its decision.

The toilets closed on 1st September, after the council cited high costs of £66,000 a year to maintain facilities that had ‘come to the end of their service life.’

Instead, members of the public can use toilets inside the Cheese and Grain. The Changing Places accessible cubicle, located within the Market Yard block, has remained open and is maintained by the venue.

Residents criticised the closure as ‘short-sighted’ and expressed concern for people with medical conditions who may need urgent access. Many also questioned why the council took over the toilets last year if they were going to be closed.

MP Anna Sabine launched a petition, saying the toilets are ‘not a luxury; they are lifeline.’ She said, “Parents with young children, carers, older residents and people with health conditions all rely on [the toilets]. Closing these facilities will unfairly penalise the most vulnerable in our community.

“Frome is a vibrant and welcoming town, but this decision risks making it less accessible and less fair. We are urging the town council to reprioritise spending and protect this essential service.”

The council has now said it will be “reviewing the arrangement over the next few months” and has an “open mind to do what the community wants.”

Frome Town Council’s clerk, Paul Wynne, said, “Frome Town Council took on the Market Yard toilet block from Somerset Council in April 2024 because we know how important centrally located public toilets are for residents and visitors alike.

“However, the toilets themselves are in very poor condition and the level of vandalism has been breathtaking. As a result, we’ve had to close them for repairs far more than we’d like since we took them on, despite spending more than £66,000 a year trying to keep them open. We believe that reopening the current toilets and trying to keep them going would be a waste of public money and not provide the reliable public toilets this town needs.

“We quickly decided that keeping open the Changing Places all-ability toilet with its hoist and changing facility was essential. We then reached an interim solution with the Cheese and Grain to provide toilets alongside clear signage directing everyone there. Please use the toilets in the Cheese and Grain, they’re clean and welcoming. We will also fund additional temporary toilets for all big events and continue to promote the longstanding ‘You’re Welcome’ scheme that encourages anyone to use toilets in cafés and shops around the town.

“Over the next few months, we’ll talk to residents and users about what they think and then decide whether to continue with these arrangements, amend them or take out a loan to refurbish the existing toilet block. We’ve an open mind and want to do what the community wants.”