Frome Town Council is working with the Cheese and Grain to improve toilet provision in the town centre. FTC will fund the Cheese and Grain to clean and maintain the accessible Changing Places cubicle and provide open public access to the venue’s toilet facilities, as the existing Market Yard toilet facilities reach the end of their life. This proactive step ensures continued public access to toilets via the Cheese and Grain, while allowing time to plan for the long-term future of the wider area.
The Changing Places toilet, a fully accessible facility installed in 2018, will remain open and be maintained by the Cheese and Grain. They are well placed to take on this role, already managing their own nearby facilities to a high standard. The remaining Market Yard toilets will be closed, with clear signage directing users to the Cheese and Grain toilets.
Longer-term plans for the repurposing of the toilet block and the space outside the library will be included in broader community engagement. This forms part of the Council’s vision for the Riverside area, as it considers how local assets and services will be rolled out in response to Somerset’s devolution of responsibilities.
Cllr Steve Tanner said, said: “People expect to be able to access toilet facilities in the town centre and this arrangement with the Cheese and Grain will mean they will be available all day, every day. This is a proactive, practical solution for providing a facility where the existing toilets are no longer fit for purpose. It will maintain essential provision for residents and visitors, while creating space to work with the community on how best to use and invest in this important part of town. Rather than continuing to rely on substandard facilities that require increasing amounts of resource, we’re choosing a better-quality offer in the short term and a more strategic approach in the long term.”
While the Cheese and Grain toilets are more than adequate to meet everyday town centre needs, a dedicated budget has been set aside to support additional toilet facilities during larger events such as The Frome Independent and The Children’s Festival.
Steve Macarthur from the Cheese and Grain said: “The Cheese and Grain has always been an integral part of Frome’s civic and cultural life, and we’re pleased to support this practical and sustainable solution to help meet the town’s needs and as stakeholders in this area, to being part of any future plans.”
The changes will come into effect on 1st September, with clear signage to indicate the new arrangement.
The ‘You’re Welcome’ scheme provides access to toilets across the town in cafés, pubs and venues with no obligation to make a purchase. Find out more about You’re Welcome at https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/our-community/youre-welcome.
The decision was taken at the Operations and Assets committee meeting on Wednesday 23rd July. Watch the meeting in full on the FTC YouTube channel at youtube.com/@FromeCouncil.
