Council told public toilets are 'essential service'

Eastbourne Borough Council wants local businesses to fill the gap left by shutting public toilets

A petition has been launched to keep a Sussex resort's public toilets open.

Eastbourne Borough Council is consulting on ways to save an extra £2.7m, on top of £3m already cut in its current annual budget.

Among the service cuts being considered is a proposal to replace public toilets with a community toilet scheme, with local businesses allowing non-customers to use their facilities. Only the bandstand toilets would remain open.

Gaynor Sedgwick, who chairs the Friends of Eastbourne Seafront, which has organised the petition, said: "The other cuts, however harsh they are, are not essential. But going to the toilet is an essential service."

The petition has already received thousands of signatures, according to the group.

Ms Sedgwick said: "The community toilet scheme is actually a good idea for some parts of the town.

"But it wouldn't work on the seafront because there are so few toilets associated with businesses.

"There's nothing until you get to the pier, then you have to walk the length of the pier to find the toilets."

Councillor Jane Lamb is among those campaigning to keep the toilets open

• Older people avoid drinking over lack of loos

• South East councils close dozens of public toilets

• Public toilets "wiped out in parts of the UK"

Conservative councillor Jane Lamb is also campaigning for the toilets to remain open.

She said: "If we are open to business as a tourist town, then this should be essential for both visitors and residents.

"People taking a stroll along the seafront shouldn't feel panicked and uncomfortable."

The proposal would see the public toilet near the bandstand the only one to remain open

Council leader Stephen Holt said: “We recognise the importance of public toilets.

"However, last year they cost the authority £300,000 to maintain, with an additional £100,000 on vandalism repairs.

"There was not a week that went by where all our toilets were operational last year."

According to the British Toilet Association, over 60% of public toilets have closed in the last decade due to costs and other pressures, he said.

"We want to work with all partners to find a sustainable solution," said Mr Holt. "This may be under a community toilet scheme.

“I am pleased to confirm that we have had a high level of interest from organisations across the town to a proposed community toilet scheme."

The consultation is open until 31 October, with the council expected to consider the public feedback in November.

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