Frome town councillors will be on hand to chat to residents as usual between 10am and 12pm on 11 April at Frome’s Saturday market.
Members of council staff will also be at the market from 9am to 2pm on 11 April to gather thoughts and opinions about the future of the Market Yard toilet block, and from 4pm to 6.30pm on Thursday 9 April.
The block has been closed since September, apart from an accessible Changing Places (CP) cubicle. FTC negotiated with the Cheese and Grain to clean and maintain the CP facility and allow access to the venue’s toilet facilities, alongside the longstanding ‘You’re Welcome’ scheme, which allows people to use toilets and refill water bottles in some cafes, pubs and shops with no obligation to spend money.
Cllr Nick Dove explained: “The block was facing permanent closure as Somerset Council looked at ways to cut costs. FTC stepped in, but the toilets often had to be closed due to their general poor condition: they were blocked or faulty even with normal use, and parts were costly and hard to find, with the added problem of misuse and anti-social behaviour. The interim solution with the Cheese and Grain protected access to public toilets in town, while we look at all the options for the longer term. We want to hear from residents to inform those options, which include refurbishment of the existing toilets; building an entirely new toilet facility in the town centre; a reimagined site that incorporates toilets along with other amenities, such as a visitor information centre, or expanding the You’re Welcome scheme so people can easily find their nearest loo when they’re in town.
FTC is accepting comments online at the new My Frome platform at tinyurl.com/frome-toilets, in person at the Saturday market on 11 April or by phone (01373 465757), email (info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk) or by dropping into the town hall on Christchurch Street West in office hours.
