Sandwich Town Council agree to keep public toilets open until December following backlash
09:00, 02 October 2020
updated: 09:28, 02 October 2020
Backlash from residents has prompted Sandwich Town Council to find extra funds to keep its public toilets open throughout the autumn.
The authority had said its budget didn't stretch far enough to keep the facilities running past the end of September and didn't not want to drop its two hourly cleaning standards.
But Kath Gifford spoke out saying such action - in addition to the three month closure of the town's tollbridge - could destroy the town and its businesse s, who are trying to find their feet following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now, members have voted unanimously to keep the conveniences going, but for fewer hours in the day reflecting the reduced usage in the low season.
It comes at a cost of about £6,700. The first £5,000 has been sourced from Section 144 money, while the remainder will come from underspends within the mayor’s budgets.
A council spokesman said: "Following the council meeting on Monday, September 28, monies have been found from elsewhere within the council’s budget to maintain the public conveniences going forward at this time.
"However, the arrangements for opening and closing have been adjusted to take into account the reduced usage that occurs at this time of the year."
'I think it is a good result and a fair compromise considering the time of year.'
The conveniences, both Cattle Market and Quay, will now be open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Quay toilets will be open from 10am to 3pm and Cattle Market from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
John Van Der Dol, owner of Sandwich Card Gallery and Balloons R Us in Sandwich's King Street, has welcomed the move.
He said: "I think it is a good result and a fair compromise considering the time of year.
"Without public pressure they would have been closed all winter."
But Mrs Gifford still thinks the shorter opening hours aren't ideal.
She said: "I am disappointed that the toilets close at 3.30pm at the weekends. It seems rather early.
"Sadly the toilets will be closed when the students are on their way home.
"The bus drivers, too, have a 'toilet break' in Sandwich."
The opening hours will be reviewed again at the end of December.
