Public toilets in Abbey Gardens reopened after major refurbishment
The latest public toilets to be given a revamp have been reopened by Winchester City Council.
As part of its Public Toilets Improvement Strategy, the facilities at Abbey Gardens have been transformed thanks to the city council’s £85,000 investment.
Refurbishment to the male, female and disabled facilities have been completed on schedule, and the works include brand new cubicles, sink units, wall tiling, accessories, ventilation and LED lighting.
The works to improve these facilities follow last year’s £25,000 investment in Market Lane toilets and £40,000 at Chesil car park toilets.
Councillor Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, said:
“We know that decent public toilets really matter to our residents and local businesses and that’s why we’re fully committed to improving our public conveniences across the district.
“Winchester welcomes over 4 million visitors every year, so ensuring our public toilets are accessible, clean and safe is really important to us.
“We’ve heard and listened to what people have told us and we've acted on their feedback. In the past 12 months, we've now refurbished three of our public toilets and we have plans for similar improvements across the district.”
Councillor Martin Tod welcomed Richard Chisnell from the British Toilet Association, to view the refurbishment of Abbey Gardens toilets. The British Toilet Association was established in 1999 and works to promote the highest possible standards of hygiene and provision in all “away from home” toilet facilities across the United Kingdom.
Richard Chisnell, Honorary President of the British Toilet Association, said:
“Winchester City Council is to be congratulated on committing funding to its public toilets, particularly at a time when costs are under such pressure and the fact that they do not, currently, have a mandatory duty to provide any in the first place. First impressions of any place or business are often gained through a visit to the nearest toilet on arrival and it is great that, as we approach the peak months, visitors to Winchester will receive a warm welcome at these flagship conveniences in Abbey Gardens
"The British Toilet Association (BTA) has been campaigning for nearly thirty years to persuade Governments in power to recognise the vital role publicly accessible toilets provide in both community cohesion and the attraction of domestic and overseas visitors.”
The refurbished toilets at Abbey Gardens, which remain free to use, are now open between 8am and 8pm until the end of September.