THE public toilets in the Market Place have been reopened by Melksham’s two councils.
The toilets have been closed since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The councils report, “The Town Mayor, cllr Pat Aves, and Deputy Mayor, cllr Geoff Mitcham from Melksham Town Council queued up today with cllr Richard Wood, Chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, and cllr Alan Baines, also of Melksham Without Parish Council, to celebrate the first flush this season of the public toilets in the town’s Market Place.
“Melksham Town Council staff have been working hard to make necessary additions and amendments to the Market Place toilet facilities in order to allow them to be safely reopened in compliance with government Covid-19 security guidelines. All as part of a joint project with Melksham Without Parish Council.
“Securing the necessary equipment for the town’s smallest visitor attractions has been challenging, but once it arrived, staff wasted no time in getting the toilets opened up once more and the facility maintenance contract restarted.”
“We understand just how important toilet provision is for the people visiting our town,” said cllr Pat Aves, the town mayor, “and I was determined to get these vital facilities open as quickly as possible, because the more people are encouraged to visit our town centre, the more this helps our wonderful traders.”
Deputy mayor, cllr Geoff Mitcham has been talking to coach and bus drivers. “We are told that the lack of available public toilets in Wiltshire is a real live issue at the moment, so we will make drivers aware of this re-opened facility,” he said.
“Once visitors visit Melksham, they are sure to be tempted by our lovely cafes and array of independent shops, and this increased footfall will help the economy of our town. We do, of course, have coach parking available in nearby King Street car park at SN12 7EP.”
Cllr Richard Wood, chair of neighbouring Melksham Without Parish Council said, “Residents of our parish view Melksham as their local town centre and it is really important that facilities are available in the town to encourage their visits. This is why we’re pleased to work together with Melksham Town Council to make sure this happens.”
The Market Place toilets, including a disabled facility, are now open.