Refurbishment of Public Toilets in Spalding to Begin Shortly
In a welcome announcement last September, the South Holland District Council unveiled plans for the long-anticipated renovation of a public toilet block located at Spalding's Sheep Market. The refurbishment, due to commence this October, has received positive feedback from locals and shoppers.
The upgrade includes the construction of three new toilets, a baby changing room, and the introduction of a Changing Places facility. This addition is aimed at serving individuals who can't utilise standard accessible toilets due to limited mobility or special care requirements.
"Every town needs some good public toilets. It will be good to see them back in use again. I can't remember the last time I saw them open," said John Allen, a frequenter of Spalding who lives outside the town.
The council has secured £150,000 in government funding for the adaptation of three Changing Places facilities throughout the district. Each facility will be equipped with privacy screens, hoists, adult-sized changing benches, and peninsula toilets, with enough room for carers.
Local Reactions to the Renovations
The town residents and shoppers have mostly agreed that the refurbishment initiative is good news. Felicity Chapple, who has resided in Spalding with her husband for five years, agreed on the benefits of the project but expressed a need for further revitalisation in the town, including "putting life back into the market".
"It's important to have some close by, you might think toilets aren't a big deal but for a lot of people it is. The sooner they open, the better," echoed Lisa Pugh, another shopper.
The Project Timeline
The renovation works are planned to be executed in three stages, with the final reopening planned for late Spring 2024. Councillor Henry Bingham, portfolio holder for assets and strategic planning praised the upcoming renovation, acknowledging the strong public demand for these facilities.
"I am delighted that we can get renovation work in the Sheep Market underway and have them re-opened for the public again soon. I know there has been a strong need and desire to have the toilets back in use, and I thank residents for their patience whilst we made sure we could provide high-quality secure and accessible facilities for everyone to use," Councillor Bingham stated.