Alloa public toilets set to be reopened

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 26 Jan 2012 08:00 7 Comments

Share this

click to enlarge
The public toilets at Maple Court, which had been in line for demolition, could now be reopened under proposals being put forward by the SNP-led administration.

THE public loos in Alloa town centre could be reopened.

Council leader Gary Womersley has announced that the SNP-led administration intends to review the closure of the toilets in Maple Court.

Councillors will vote on the issue in tomorrow's (Thursday) full council meeting.

The facility is currently earmarked for demolition after it was controversially closed by the then-Labour administration.

Now, just weeks after snatching power, the SNP is already looking at overturning the previous administration's ruling.

Mr Womersley said, "The toilets were closed by the Labour administration without any prior consultation with the local community or local business. That not only undermined public confidence in the town centre but sent a clear signal that the council was not committed to providing essential public services. This administration believes in public services and it believes in the future of Alloa town centre."

He said that if councillors agree then a "consultation framework" would be drawn up to ensure any future provision "meets the needs and expectations of local people and local business".

The toilets in the Alloa town centre were closed in February 2010 as part of a public convenience cull that also saw closures in Tillicoultry and Tullibody.

The move sparked a 'Save oor lavvies' campaign and petition to reinstate the loos in Alloa.

But despite thousands of residents and shoppers calling for a reversal, the decision stuck.

Last year's Clackmannanshire Citizen of the Year, Anna Forbes, was at the forefront of the campaign through her role as chair on Alloa Central Community Council.

She told the Advertiser that in anticipation of this reversal by the SNP, she had written to the new administration about the toilets.

She said, "This is great news. People are still asking about the toilets.

"They think it's a disgrace that they were closed when we are trying to promote Alloa town centre as a place to visit.

"I don't care what they say, the first thing you do when you arrive at a new place is you go to the toilet.

"We have the supermarkets but if people go there to use the loo they are not coming back into the town."

Shopkeepers that spoke to the Advertiser also appeared to be in favour of the loos returning.

Neil McFarlane, of McFarlane Jewellers, said, "Closing the toilets has put a lot of people off, that have young kids or are elderly, from coming into the centre. It's a very sensible decision to look at reopening them."

Bags and Bling owner Donna McGregor said since the closure of the toilets many customers were asking to use their own staff loos.

She said, "This is a great idea but they should never have been shut in the first place. We have free parking in the town but you can't use a public toilet?

"I have actually allowed quite a few people to use our toilets. If you have wee kids you can't make it down to Tesco and Asda."

Depute council leader Mark English said there should have been consultation with businesses and shoppers before closing the toilets.

He said, "It's important given the investment put in the town centre that we get it right and take account of the views of local people and businesses. Stopping the demolition will give us the opportunity to put things on hold to ascertain what those views are."

He added, "We have always maintained as a group that throughout our course as administration we will listen closely and consult as often as possible with local groups and businesses."

This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 25 Jan 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

jlar
Unregistered User
Jan 26, 15:58
Report comment

The toilets should be re-opened as many local business, especially the local cafe's, have notices saying toilets are for customer use only.

Disabled people and parents with young children find it impossible to make it down to Tesco or Asda, they are a lot further from the town centre than you think when you have walk.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
AlloaYankee
Unregistered User
Jan 26, 21:14
Report comment

At last, the toilets have been re-opened. Now, will they have security to ensure that the neer-do-wells who frequent these places, offering physical and verbal abuse to the innocent public, are kept away?

I will give them a few months and they will be back.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
midge
Unregistered User
Jan 26, 23:55
Report comment

At last commom sense has come to life ,the toilets are in a prime site for the public and tearing them down would serve no purpose. ALLOA really needs a revamp as it looks tired and shabby in the main streets

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0
Jaded
Unregistered User
Jan 27, 18:10
Report comment

Alloa has always looked, "tired and shabby in the main streets".

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
Nicky1990
Unregistered User
Jan 28, 16:39
Report comment

I worry that this being reopen will attract the sorts that used to hang around here: drug abusers and alcoholics.

This used to be frightening for the many people walking by, as those who spent there time at a toilet would hurl abuse at innocent people.

I wont be using it and if the same sort of people start to meet and spend their time there, I also wont be coming to Alloa- what ever happened to making this town more accessible, what a think to see when you first come of the train to Alloa.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
James1967
Unregistered User
Jan 29, 11:56
Report comment

great to hear the toilets are re-opening, particularly the Maple Court ones. It was an idiotic decision to close them in the first place!

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0
******
Jan 29, 23:54
Report comment

This comment is currently in a queue awaiting moderation.
midge
Unregistered User
Feb 6, 23:31
Report comment

talking of drunks harassing the public reminds me of willie (the gut) you darnt ignore him if willie spoke to you ,it was at your peril to ignore him .but he was a lovely funny guy and would do you no harm

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser Poll

When should the independence referendum be held in Scotland?

This Poll is now closed.

Within 18 months, as stipulated by the UK Government (30.2%)

Autumn 2014, as announced by Alex Salmond (52.8%)

Never (17.0%)

Follow @alloatiser