Toilets in line for revamp as part of historic deal (From Knutsford Guardian)

Toilets in line for revamp as part of historic deal

5:30pm Monday 2nd July 2012 in News By James Wilson

COUNCILLORS are looking for a company to refurbish and manage Knutsford’s public toilets.

Knutsford Town Council is in negotiations with Cheshire East Council to take on the public conveniences in the town as part of the assets transfer programme.

The toilet blocks are King Street car park (Moorside), Bexton Road (Booths) and Northwich Road.

In the past the cleanliness of the town’s toilets has often been criticised by visitors and residents.

Councillors have looked at four options for managing the toilet blocks and decided the most cost-effective solution is to outsource them to a third party, which members believe will carry less of a risk and would mean the council not being responsible for repair or staff costs.

One idea put forward would be for the council to then introduce a charge to use the toilets.

The deal could cost between £750,000 and £1.5 million, but the toilets would then be secured for the town on a 25-year lease.

The town council is in discussions with the landowner of the Northwich Road toilet block as it is not owned by the borough authority.

Town clerk Steve McQuade said the supplier would refurbish and rebuild the blocks.

“Because of the scale and value of the toilets we have to go through a EU tendering process, and it may be the first time this council has done it,” he said.