Public Conveniences
Lower High Street

Worcester News 1st February 2007

Public lavatories to be sold off to save council cash By Cathy Anstey PUBLIC lavatories in the centre of Upton-upon-Sev-ern are to be put up for sale following the town council's decision not to assume responsibility for them. The High Street toilets, which are owned by Malvern Hills District Council, were closed last spring as a cost-cutting measure because they were seen as surplus to town requirements. The decision prompted protests from local people. The district council offered to transfer the lavatories to the town council together with a financial package towards their refurbishment and maintenance over a five-year period. But at a public meeting at the end of January, Upton people heard they would have to pay an extra £26 in council tax to the town for their upkeep and firmly rejected the proposal. Upton Town Council then followed public opinion by turning down the district council's deal. Malvern hills head of customer and environmental services Ivor Pumfrey said the lavatories would now be put up for sale. He said the council's property services department would have to gather details of the toilets so the premises could be marketed. "Clearly we want to get on and get the lavatories on the market and wait for the eager buyers to come along. It is in a good location. It is not far from the river. I am sure it has plenty of other uses it could be put to." Public lavatories in Tenbury Wells and Malvern were closed by the district council last spring as part of the same measure. Malvern Hills District Council negotiated with Tenbury Town Council and offered to transfer the Market Street lavatories to the town council. It will be up to the newly-elected town council to decide whether to accept the offer after elections in May. The Victoria Road toilets in Malvern are to be demolished and those in Edith Walk will be sold off.