Token system suggested as Ludlow Assembly Rooms seeks help with toilet costs

Ludlow Assembly Rooms has been told it needs a proper system in place to ensure people don't abuse its toilets.

The free-to-use facilities are intended primarily for users of the arts venue, although non-users are discouraged from using them. The issue first came to a head last June, when Ludlow market traders were told they could not use the toilets.

A letter sent by Ludlow Town Council, on behalf of the Assembly Rooms, said the toilets were not for use by the market traders and added: "this position is not open to interpretation and must be respected".

One trader later posted about the ban on social media, saying the letter had "caused outrage".

A post from Ludlow Leather and Vegan Handbags and Accessories said many traders buy drinks or food from the Assembly Rooms' Bill's Kitchen.

It said: "Many of us regularly buy coffee and our lunch from Bill's Kitchen but apparently we are not customers.

"The market traders consider themselves as a local business community, which brings visitors into the town all year around.

"One would think that the market traders would be valued and supported by a local government facility."

The matter returned to the agenda at this week's Ludlow Town Council meeting after another letter was received from the Assembly Rooms.

Chief executive officer Fiona Morrell said that when the 11 toilets were fitted during the refurbishment of the building, they were not designed for such heavy usage. She said that as a result there were constant maintenance costs and the toilets were expensive to clean.

Ms Morrell said the Assembly Rooms is a charity and recorded a £110,000 deficit in the last financial year, while the toilets cost £15,600 a year to maintain and clean.

To help cover the expense, she said a donation box had been added and the venue would soon be putting up a sign inviting members of the public to donate.

She also said market traders could be invited to become Friends of the Assembly Rooms at £40 a year, which would bring a range of discounts for shows and at Bill's Kitchen.

Another suggestion was for the council to explore whether a small donation could be added to the daily cost of a market trader stall, at 20p a day, to help contribute towards the toilet costs.

Ms Morrell said the two parties, along with the market traders, could also fundraise to help the toilets have stronger fittings.

She said: "Our primary aim is to try and secure an ongoing contribution of circa £2,000 per year towards the toilets.

"Our longer-term aim is to raise a more significant amount, circa £10,000, to be able to completely refit the toilets / sinks etc so that they are more suitable for general use.

"We are also open to discussing other ideas with the council, traders and members of our community and working together to try and solve this problem."

Councillor Matthew Taylor proposed that the council contributes £2,000 for the first year.

"That seems a reasonable figure when you consider the amount of abuse they get," he said.

But Councillor Glenn Ginger said Ludlow Town Council "is not a bottomless pit".

"If the Assembly Rooms have got a problem with their toilets, they should have a token system on the door," said Councillor Ginger.

"Bill's Kitchen should give the customers a token and other people should have to buy a token from the front desk if they want to use the toilets. There are other ways of maintaining toilets."

He said a meeting should be arranged between the two sides to look at ideas for generating revenue at the venue.

His proposal was backed by eight other councillors, while three voted against.