Guisborough demands more public toilets

The town only has one public convenience open all year round, in Fountain Street, which is out of the town centre.

At the town council meeting on Thursday of last week, members were unanimous in the belief that more facilities were needed.

The chairman, Coun Anne Franklin, said: "I think just one lot of toilets in Guisborough is absolutely pathetic.

"I've had numerous complaints from older people who shop in the town centre about the lack of toilets.

"We've tried for years to get the borough council to look at it, but nothing ever gets done."

Coun Peter Spencer said: "Guisborough is getting bigger, in terms of events and tourism, and we should write to the borough council asking them to do something about it."

Coun Franklin agreed, saying: "We are trying to encourage more tourism into the town, and to do that we need more toilets."

Coun Bill Clarke said the toilet block in Northgate had been closed for about ten or 15 years and should be demolished.

He said: "The least the borough council can do is revamp the Fountain Street toilets and review the ones in Northgate. But I would like to see the Northgate ones demolished."

This view was countered by Couns Malcolm Griffiths and Pandy Kilby, who said the Northgate facilities should be refurbished and re-opened to the public.

Coun Franklin said Redcar and Cleveland Council had supplied figures claiming the demolition of the Northgate block would cost £21,000; refurbishment costs were estimated at £98,000.

A spokesman for the borough said: "The Fountain Street toilets are a valuable asset to the town, particularly for the travelling public who arrive in their droves at the coach park.

"Sadly, the one at Northgate is now subject to vandalism and graffiti, and we now have to decide whether it should be demolished or could be refurbished.

"It would certainly appear to be an item that merits discussion by the new area committee, and the town council's request will obviously be given serious consideration."