Malmesbury Mayor Campbell Ritchie and BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Ben Prater ceremonially cut a ribbon of toilet paper to declare Malmesbury’s new public toilets open on last week (Friday 14 August.), celebrated by an enthusiastic and socially distanced crowd.
The two unisex toilets, one specially designed for people with disabilities and including baby changing facilities, are behind the Town Hall in Malmesbury town centre and will initially be open from 7am to 7pm seven days a week. They are free to use and replace the old public conveniences which closed 11 years ago.
Campbell said: ‘We have known for a long time that we should have modern, accessible toilet facilities in the heart of the town. The new toilets add to a long list of Malmesbury firsts.
“We are not only England’s oldest borough and the place where the first human flight took place; we now have the first public toilets in the country designed with COVID-19 in mind. They are as touch free as possible.
“This has been a challenging project. We have succeeded in converting a redundant part of a listed building into a really useful asset.
“We owe thanks to those who have helped fund the project; the European Union Fund in support of the Rural Economy, which we accessed through Vale Action and the Area Board of Wiltshire Council, our build team from Hi-Tec Washroom Solutions Ltd, led by Managing Director, Ramon Bunce and our Town Clerk, Richard Spencer-Williams, who managed the works on behalf of Malmesbury Town Council.
“Very importantly, our new toilets will encourage more residents and visitors to come and stay longer in the town centre, which is important for our community and economy,” the Mayor added.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
- Cllr Campbell Ritchie, Mayor of Malmesbury 0780 2638424 campbellrmtc@gmail.com.