Shrewsbury chiefs feeling flushed with pride over opening of £50,000 toilet block
A toilet block which shut more than a year ago has reopened – much to the relief of townspeople.
The toilets, in the heart of Shrewsbury's historic town centre, have been totally overhauled and rebuilt – and now offer those desperate to spend a penny some clean and modern facilities.
And they contain the country's first publicly funded disabled changing places facility.
The male toilets at Butcher Row closed in 2010. The female toilets were then closed last spring, while a complete renovation of the site was carried out.
Plans to demolish the original facilities, which were renowned for their pungent odour, and build new toilets and an information centre, were unveiled in 2011, but the proposals for the information centre and for a retractable roof were later dropped.
The new facility, which opened yesterday in time for the Easter break, was designed by Shrewsbury firm Base Architecture and Design, based in Roushill and contains male, female and disabled facilities, along with a baby changing area, all at ground level.
There is also a map of the town on the outside of the building.
About £50,000 has been spent on providing Shropshire's first and only publicly-funded changing places facility which will cater for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
Leader of the council, Councillor Alan Mosley, said: "Shrewsbury can be proud of this and the fact it has been delivered virtually on budget despite some entirely unforeseeable setbacks and the inclusion of the excellent changing places services. Residents and visitors will be appreciative and it is indicative of our desire to improve Shrewsbury for the benefit of all."
Helen Ball, town clerk, added: "I am really pleased we have been able to re-open Butcher Row in time for the Easter break."
