Locals and visitors inconvenienced alike (Southend Liberal Democrats)

Southend Liberal Democrats <info@southendlibdems.co.uk>

Locals and visitors inconvenienced alike

October 28, 2008 2:30 PM

Southend Council are beginning to see the outcome of closing the town's toilets. Now that they have closed so many toilets they are having to look at other ways of providing that most essential service, the "public loo".

Officers have suggested that a sum of money be given to business owners to allow toilets on their premises to be used by members of the public. Unfortunately businessmen are not keen be involved and one even went as far to say "It is up to the council to provide decent public toilets and it has failed to, over a number of years!"

Liberal Democrats have been saying for a long time that the "toilet" strategy of this Council is not working. Cllr Ted Lewin who has been at the head of the call for better conveniences says "even when the council dispose of a property to a private business to turn into restaurants, deals which include public provision on the site, fail to operate to the real benefit of the public because restaurantuers do no want their premises invaded with people want to use the toilet."

Toilets In a seaside town where visitors need to have facilities Southend Council has done its best to discourage those visitors returning by denying then of the most essential of services - "the public toilet"

"Southend Council must remember that if we want people to visit this town then they must reverse their previous strategy and provide improved toilet facilities" said Cllr Lewin.