Concern as plug is pulled on public loos
SHOPPERS could find themselves caught short if plans to close town centre toilets go ahead.
The conveniences, located at the foot of Craven House on Churchill Way, will no longer be run by the council as of Monday, July 18, when the lease with the landlord terminates.
But Keith Winnert, 70, from Earlsway, in Macclesfield, said something should be done to keep the toilets open.
He said: “I need to use the loos because of my medical circumstances and my age, so it’s rather upsetting they are closing.
“I had major heart surgery and the tablets I need to keep my blood pressure down have an affect on my stomach.
“I’ve spoken to other pensioners and the first thing we need to do when we go somewhere is use the loo.”
He added that using toilets belonging to businesses was not always a viable alternative.
He said: “Some places get a bit funny about people using them, which is in some ways understandable as they maintain them. Some don’t mind but the toilets are upstairs which is no good if you’re elderly.
“The market traders will be very inconvenienced too. Perhaps they’ll just have to cross their legs all day.”
The closure of the Churchill Way toilets – which were refurbished in October last year – will leave just one public convenience in the town centre at Park Green.
Public toilets at Chester Road in Poynton, Pool Bank car park in Bollington and Disley station have all closed since 2011. A ballot will decide the future of the free toilets at Prestbury Bridge Green, which closed in February.
A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: “The toilets in Park Green, Macclesfield will remain open. However, the landlord of the loos on Churchill Way, which are leased to the council, has given notice to terminate the lease. The landlord’s proposed transfer date is 18 July.”
A spokesman from commercial property specialist Greenham Commercial Ltd, which is dealing with the sale of Craven House on behalf of the client, said the choice to retain the toilets would be the responsibility of the new owners.