By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Cotswold council chiefs look set to save town centre public conveniences after an increase in tourists.
Some 1,198 people signed a petition calling on Cotswold District Council to save the High Street/Market Square toilets from closure.
Ben Eddolls, chairman of Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council, presented the petition at today’s (September 25) full meeting in Cirencester.
He said the financial burden of the toilets to the town council would have been too great for them to sustain.
And he explained closing the toilets would have a detrimental effect on Stow as he feared people would boycott the town as there would be no facilities for people with disabilities.
“We want the area to flourish and keep the steady stream of tourists who come not only to our town’s mediaeval square and attractions but the area as a whole,” he said.
“The lack of a coach park at Bourton-on-the-Water, better local bus services, smaller coach operators using the town as a staging point and the buoyant tourist numbers means it is imperative that we keep the toilet service in the town centre to accommodate these people.”
Deputy leader Mike Evemy (LD, Siddington and Cerney Rural) thanked Cllr Eddolls for presenting the petition to the council.
Cllr Evemy said meetings have taken place with town council representatives and he would refer the petition to be considered by cabinet and would recommend retaining the town centre toilets.
“There is a budgetary challenge,” he said.
“But we took a decision based on the recommendation to retain at least one facility in all of our localities.”
He would recommend closing the toilets in the car park instead.
Conservative group leader Tom Stowe (C, Campden and Vale) said his group would support the recommendation to refer it to cabinet.
The council voted unanimously in favour of the resolution. Cabinet will consider the petition at its next meeting on October 3.
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