Marina toilets' winter closure threat to Purple Flag status
THE winter closure of harbourside toilets in Torquay could threaten the town's Purple Flag status for the quality of its night time attractions, it is feared.
The toilets at Torquay marina car park have been closed until Christmas, to the consternation of the pastors who help nightclubbers and Torbay Town Centres Company which administers the Purple Flag scheme.
Public toilets are one of the criteria for the flag scheme, but Torbay Council says it cannot afford to keep them open.
Ros Ede, co-ordinator of more than 100 street pastors, said they were willing to open and close the toilets and monitor them during Friday and Saturday nights.
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Ros said: "Apparently, it costs around £200 to clean them over the weekend. If you can spend I don't know how much on putting a palm tree in a roundabout which was perfectly all right, it sends out awful signals to people who are experiencing cuts in services, the disabled and so on.
"If the toilets are open hopefully people will stop urinating in shop doorways in the Strand and Torwood Street.
"We have had ladies concerned that there are no toilet facilities and they are pregnant. We are really cross, we are told there is no money and all of a sudden there is this thing like a pineapple at Kerswell Gardens."
Ian Broadfoot, chief executive of Torbay Town Centres Company, said: "It's disappointing to find they are closed.
"The Purple Flag is an all year round award and the Bay wants to extend its shoulder season especially as the harbour area is one of key areas."
Rachael Weaver, Purple Flag co-ordinator, said: "It is necessary to have toilets open and readily available but it comes down to funding.
"I have asked for them to be open at least for key dates for example Hallowe'en, half-term and Christmas and new year."
Susie Colley, chairman of Torre and Upton community partnership and Torquay Neighbourhood Plan, said: "It is scandalous. This is totally unacceptable.
"Either they put the staff on at night, or they clear up in the morning. With the Purple Flag, we should be looking at providing new toilets right on the harbourside.
"Let's make an attractive feature of them, otherwise we are going to lose the flag."
A Torbay Council spokesman said: "This year, the toilets were open late over the summer period and will be during Hallowe'en and Christmas.
"However, we are working with colleagues in the Business Improvement District to make this more permanent."
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