Barnstaple Pannier Market toilet to be opened to public
SHOPPERS in Barnstaple Pannier Market will soon be able to spend a penny there in addition to their other purchases. North Devon Council is to spend �10,000 on improvements to the market traders disabled toilet to allow the public to use it. It follows
SHOPPERS in Barnstaple Pannier Market will soon be able to spend a penny there in addition to their other purchases.
North Devon Council is to spend �10,000 on improvements to the market traders' disabled toilet to allow the public to use it.
It follows the closure of the nearby Market Street toilets and claims that trade was being lost because the replacement toilets at the cattle market were too far away.
Faced with estimated costs of �100,000 to bring the Market Street facilities up to scratch, the council's Executive has instead chosen to let the public use the traders' disabled toilet within the market.
Lead Member for Waste and Recycling, Councillor Rodney Cann, said:: "We've listened to what customers have been saying and recognise that there is a need for some level of toilet provision at the Pannier Market after relocating the Market Street facilities.
"Although traders called for the public toilets to be reopened, the council simply couldn't justify the costs to the taxpayer this would involve, especially considering the market's close proximity to the brand new, state of the art toilets in the Cattle Market, and also loos in Green Lanes and at the bus station.
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"Opening the traders' toilet up for visitors to the Pannier Market and surrounding shops should allay concerns of some traders that the Cattle Market toilets are too far away, particularly for their elderly and disabled customers."
The council will be spending an estimated �10,000 on improvements to the traders' disabled toilet, to include new floor covering, new doors and redecoration of the hallway and stairs.
In addition, councillors will also begin looking at the 'historic core area', including the Pannier Market, Market Street toilets, the Queen's Theatre and possibly the former Market Inn, to see if there are any opportunities for investment and regeneration. This could include the future provision of toilet facilities.
