Mixed response to Cove Street, Weymouth 50p toilet charge

Weymouth Town Council says the toilets on Cove Street - near the harbourside and leading up to Hope Square - will be closed from Monday, September 30 for three months of refurbishment.

Upon re-opening, there will be a new 50p charge to use the toilets.

The toilets on Cove Street (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

An electronic payment system will be installed, and visitors will then be able to use a bank card or smartphone to make the payment.

Weymouth Town Council says this additional income will be used for ongoing cleaning and maintenance costs.

The change has been criticised by some, who think people shouldn't have to pay to use the loo, whilst others hope that the money it raises will genuinely go towards keeping the toilets in good shape.

Trish Bandy from Weymouth welcomes the refurbishment even with the charge. She says she tends to cross the road when going past due to the smell.

She added: "I think it is fair enough if they are going to do them up.

"A lot of people use them, but I don't like them and they are grotty. They haven't been updated in years and years.

"I think 50p is fine, a lot of people charge for toilets these days."

The land train going past the loos (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Another Weymouth resident, Dave Richardson, is against it.

He said: "I think it is a cheap shot to charge people to have a pee.

"It (extra cleaning and maintenance) doesn't happen. They keep the toilets nice with hard work and putting people there regularly, not with my 50p."

Businesses in the area also had a say.

Jade Hallworth and Ben McCluskey-Gott run the Brewers Cove café directly opposite the toilets. Whilst they are in favour of the refurbishment, they believe the change will only be worth it if it's used to keep the toilets nice.

Jade said: "As long as they are putting the money back into it. It is stinky at the moment, I would pay to use a clean toilet.

"We just want it going back into the community so people want to be here."

Jade Hallworth (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Ben McCluskey-Gott added: "We have seen people in wheelchairs struggle to get into it, it has got to be refurbished.

"When I first saw that there would be a charge I thought it would be bad, but the impression I get is not to make money, but to keep Weymouth nicer."

Mr McCluskey-Gott also voiced concerns about cruise ship passengers visiting the town being unable to use the payment systems.

The Tea Shop, on Trinity Street, doesn't have toilets of its own, so customers and staff use the Cove Street loos.

Paula Cogar, properties of the Tea Shop, on Trinity Street said: "I think it is bang out of order.

"I was happy they were refurbishing them but I didn't know about the charge. You shouldn't have to pay for a public toilet."

Improvements will include moving the disabled toilet door to make it more accessible.

Anyone using a radar key will still have access to the disabled toilet once refurbishment is complete. 

During the period that the Cove Street toilets will close, the nearest available public toilets will be at the Nothe Gardens and on Maiden Street.

Work will be carried out by a local building company which will fence off the facilities during the refit.