Start date set for new toilets
New town-centre public toilets for Newark are finally on the way and should be open by early next year.
Newark and Sherwood District Council’s cabinet is set to approve plans on Thursday for toilets in St Mark’s Place.
The £1/4m cost will be met by the council, with most hopefully recouped through a covenant from the original owners of St Mark’s Place, Royal Insurance.
Running costs will be kept low through a 20p charge to use the facility, which will be staffed by an attendant, and built under an overhang on the corner of the multi-storey carpark, near the back of Cartergate.
To further offset the cost of the new facility, the toilets at London Road carpark will be closed to the public.
They would, however, remain available to disabled people and key holders, such as users of the bowling green at Beaumond Gardens.
Mrs Mary Holland, who was among many campaigners who lobbied for new toilets, said it was a shame those at London Road would close, but it was excellent news about the St Mark’s toilets.
Mrs Holland, of Meadow Road, Balderton, said: “It’s not before time. I just hope it is going to happen. I won’t believe it until I see it."
The campaign for new toilets started after the closure 21/2 years ago of the old St Mark’s toilets opposite the former Ethel Austin shop.
The decision to close was made by the precinct’s owners, Oakgate Group Plc, of Yorkshire, because of repeated vandalism.
Oakgate has planning permission for the new toilets and is working closely with the district council.
The council leader, Mr Tony Roberts, said: “There is no obligation on the town council and district councils to provide toilets but we recognise people see them as an important asset, so it’s always been our intention to replace what was closed.
“Finding a place to replace them was really very difficult.
“It is unfortunate the toilets on London Road have to close as a consequence, but we feel there is adequate toilet provision on the periphery of the town centre, and the toilets in the town centre are what residents have been telling us they want.”
He said companies were submitting designs for the toilets and the plans would be displayed for public comment.
Building work is expected to start in September and be completed by the end of January or early February.
