D-day looms for Bristol’s public toilets

Few are pleasant, many are downright disgusting – but as the closure date looms for Bristol’s public toilets, concerns remain about alternative provision.

The council will cut all funding from 18 of the city’s on-street loos from Wednesday January 31, with plans afoot to launch a new community-based scheme that it says will improve and expand facilities overall.

However, as the doors clang shut on public toilets across Bristol for the last time, there remains some confusion about exactly where alternative provision will be.

More organisations and businesses are still being sought to participate in the new initiative that is reliant on their goodwill.

The Downs toilets will remain open under different management

“How long will is it going to take, because I will tell you now that at 79 years old, when you have got to go, you have got to go,” said Judith Brown, speaking at a recent council meeting.

“It’s just not good enough for us to be in this situation with the toilets closing down – we are a tourist city. We need something, we cannot go on like this.

“There are 2,000 people involved in walking groups in the city – what are they supposed to do?”

In response, mayor Marvin Rees has issued assurance that the matter is not something he is taking lightly, but said the alternative scheme will serve the city better.

“What we are doing at the moment is not just an absence of toilets, it’s about looking at a network of community toilets across business, pubs and restaurants,” said Rees.

“We are asking all the councillors to work within their wards to ask businesses to open their toilets to the public because it is a scheme that has worked well elsewhere.”

The Bearpit toilets have been described as ‘disgusting’. Photo by Theo Gittens

A visit to some of the city’s public toilets on Monday afternoon proved the point that many current facilities are not fit for purpose. The men’s toilets in the Bearpit were described as disgusting and a hot spot for drug abuse.

The closures will affect a number of on-street toilets, including those in Wapping Wharf, Eastville Park, Greville Smyth Park, Castle Park and Colston Avenue.

Some sites earmarked for closure will be taken on by different groups, with the Downs toilets to be run by the Downs Committee and the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust taking responsibility for the loos by the popular tourist spot.

There are also a number of buildings that have signed up to be a part of the community scheme, including Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle, the Create Centre in Hotwells, Windmill Hill City Farm, the Greenway Centre in Southmead and Fishponds Library, as well as council-owned premises.

The public toilets by the Suspension Bridge will remain open. Photo by Theo Gittens

Speaking about the community toilet scheme at a recent council meeting, deputy mayor Asher Craig confirmed that a logo has been designed, which will feature in the window of each participating organisation.

Information about the nearest available facilities will be attached to closed toilets.

“We have already done a test pilot in my ward and we have identified nine businesses, compared to the two toilets that are there, so we have already quadrupled the toilet provision in the area,” said Craig.

“If all councillors could talk to local businesses or put them in contact with officers, we can get the conversation happening.

“Obviously, there are going to be bumps in the road, this has happened with other public toilets around the country, but the results have been really positive and ended up providing more access to toilets.”

While an imminent need to pee is the most pressing concern on many minds, this is not the first time the council has pulled the plug on toilet funding and – in true Bristol fashion – former loos have emerged from the ashes of past cuts to be reborn.

The Cafe on the Square has become a vibrant community hub. Photo by Theo Gittens

One such example is the Café on the Square in Sea Mills, a former public toilet that the Sea Mills Community Initiative put together a fund to take over in 2012.

The café is now a thriving community hub, with two paid managers and a team of volunteers, that hosts regular neighbourhood events, from craft workshops to supper clubs.

The Cafe on the Square is run largely by volunteers. Photo by Theo Gittens

Assistant manager Rachel told Bristol24/7: “The project has been fantastic for the local community, especially older people who might be a bit lonely. They can come to the café and find a friendly atmosphere.”

On the subject of public loos closing, she added: “While it is important to prioritise council funds, it’s a shame that public toilets are closing as for some people, especially those with disabilities, they are very important.”

For a list of available public toilets and more information about the community toilet scheme, visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/en_US/streets-travel/public-toilets. (At the time of publishing, the list included toilets due to close and a council spokeswoman said this would be updated on Wednesday).

Read more: Concerns closure of public toilets in Bristol will hit most vulnerable hardest