Toilets closed as big revamp starts (From The Oxford Times)

Toilets closed as big revamp starts

12:00pm Wednesday 7th November 2012 in News By Damian Fantato, covering Summertown, Jericho and North Oxford. Call me on 01865 425429

The Market Street toilets are undergoing a revamp

OXFORD’S busiest toilets have been closed for a major revamp.

The Market Street toilets have shut this week as Oxford City Council continues its scheme of upgrading all the city’s public facilities.

And people across Oxford are being given the opportunity to have their say in decorating the toilets.

The toilets will keep the same layout but will be given completely new fittings as part of the council’s £420,000 investment in toilets.

City councillor John Tanner, board member for Cleaner, Greener Oxford, said: “The city council thinks providing good quality toilets in the city centre is hugely important for shoppers and tourists alike.

“I am thrilled that we have started work on the Market Street toilets and I apologise for the temporary arrangements. I am sure the new facilities will be well worth waiting for.”

As part of the scheme the city council will be replacing the existing stainless steel fittings in all of its toilets with a hygienic composite material and fitting ergonomic and vandal-resistant dryers, as well as providing better quality soap. Better lighting will be installed, as well as hooks for bags and coats, and easy-to-use locks.

And following a public consultation, toilets in the city centre such as the Market Street facilities will be given a completely new look, with fresh flowers, books and copies of the Oxford Mail’s entertainment reviews on the walls.

While work takes place at the Market Street toilets – which will take about eight weeks – temporary toilets will be available to the public outside the facilities.

Members of the public can also put forward ideas for famous quotes or comments to decorate the toilet’s walls.

Builders are currently finishing off work at the Florence Park toilets, which were the first to benefit from the scheme.

Once the Market Street facilities are completed the Gloucester Green toilets will be the next major facilities to be refurbished and work will start early next year.

The city council owns and operates 24 public toilets across the city, as well as running a community toilet scheme which sees nine businesses in the city centre make their toilets available to the public.

To submit a quotation for the Market Street toilets, email the council at press@oxford.gov.uk before Friday, November 16.