BOLTON shoppers and workers have unanimously condemned Bolton Council's decision to shut the public loos in Bridge Street.

As reported in last night's BEN there has been an outcry following the closure of the popular public conveniences.

According to Cllr Jack Foster, chairman of the Planning and Environment Committee, there are plenty of toilets in Bolton.

"There are toilets in the stores and toilets in every pub and restaurant," he said.

The council justified its decision to shut the ladies' and gents' toilets on the grounds of cost. Councillors decided that the £100,000 needed to repair the loos and the £58,000 maintenance costs were better spent elsewhere.

But Bolton shoppers disagree. They argue that money spent on public conveniences is money well spent. And rather than see the loos shut everyone we spoke to said they would be prepared to pay, to spend a penny conveniently. In less than 30 minutes yesterday we observed more than 20 people trying to get into the toilets beneath Bridge Street Market Hall piazza, which are now shut to the public.

And we spoke to some of them about the unexpected and unannounced closure of Bolton's busiest toilets.

Ebrahim Isa from Bolton said the council's decision to shut the loos was ill-advised.

"These toilets are really convenient for this side of town. I can't believe the council has done this."

Ron and Joan Gorton from Worsley were equally incensed.

"We used to do a lot of shopping in Manchester but they kept shutting the public conveniences so we began doing our shopping in Bolton," said Joan. "But it looks like Bolton is going down the same sorry road." She added: "We are always using these toilets especially when we have our grandchildren with us. What do they expect us to do? Let the little one's do it in the street!"

James Wynne from Halliwell stormed: "It's ridiculous. The point of a public convenience is that it's for the public and it's convenient. Bolton Council should be listening to the public and spending our money on things we want."

Wayne Brierley from Astley Bridge was stunned by the closure. He said: "Where do they expect us to go now?"

And Doreen Carr from Crompton Way said: "The nearest toilets are in Debenhams and there's always massive queues there. Visitors to the town must get a pretty poor picture of us." She added: "But it tells us something about Bolton council. Combine this closure with their high car parking fees and we'll end up with no shoppers."

C.C. McCleod from Halliwell said the closure was "disgusting". And Roy Popplewell from Breightmet said: "They have given us no notice of this closure. But that's just like Bolton Council - they never tell you anything. It's a terrible decision." Her husband said: "We've always said these toilets were nice and clean. We like Bolton for the shopping and the public conveniences but the council is obviously not interested in attracting shoppers to the town if they can pull stunts like this." "...it tells us something about Bolton council. Combine this closure with their high car parking fees and we'll end up with no shoppers."

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