Ceremony marks official opening of community hub’s accessible facilities
New and improved toilets are now open at a valued Winchester community facility.
The Mayor of Winchester Cllr Sudhakar Achwal cut the ‘toilet roll’ ribbon at the ceremony at Unit 12 in Winnall on Friday 12 December to officially declare the new toilets open to all.
The toilets, which are now self-contained individual cubicles, have been funded by a 70% Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) grant of £28,465 from Winchester City Council (WCC). WCC raises CIL money from qualifying district developments, before channelling it into infrastructure projects benefitting local communities.
The works have also freed up space to create an additional leasable office space, the revenue from which will further support outreach activities in the local community including the Community Pantry, Community Garden and Community Cafe.
Caroline Kirkman from Unit 12 said: “These new toilets offer improved inclusivity and safeguarding for our users and tenants. We have over 500 children and young people, and around 300 adults, many of whom are vulnerable, coming through the premises each week.
“The changed location of the toilets also means that upstairs tenants of the building, including Winchester Young Carers, Street Reach and Counselling@unit12, can meet those with mobility issues in a new private office downstairs.”
Winchester City Council Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan Cllr Jackie Porter added: “The Community Infrastructure Levy is a vital way of channelling funding into valuable buildings and facilities for our residents, and I am delighted that it has been put to such fantastic use in Unit 12.
“The building’s groups and organisations offer such vital community services to local people, and these new facilities will so improve the experiences of those using the building by ensuring a more accessible experience for all.”