North Yorkshire Council officials are struggling to secure an immediate location for temporary public toilets in Scarborough town centre following mounting pressure from residents and local politicians over declining high street footfall.
The closure of the Brunswick Centre eliminated critical bathroom facilities, leaving a significant infrastructure gap that local businesses say is deterring visitors ahead of the busy summer tourist season.
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Independent South Bay Councillor Rich Maw raised urgent concerns regarding the loss of public amenities during a full council meeting on Wednesday, May 20.
"I recently raised concerns regarding the loss of public toilet provision in Scarborough town centre following the closure of the Brunswick Centre, which has left a significant gap, affecting residents, visitors, and local businesses," said Maw.
The independent representative requested a definitive delivery timeline from authority leaders to prevent the issue from disrupting the local economy as the holiday period approaches.
"The issue is already having a clear impact on accessibility and town centre footfall, and it's unsustainable as the busy holiday season approaches," Maw said.
He further pressed the executive team to clarify if they consider the current lack of facilities suitable for the public in the interim.
"Can they also confirm whether they consider the current level of provision within Scarborough town centre to be acceptable in the meantime," Maw said.
Maw noted that while the council is reportedly awaiting final cost estimates for temporary units near the Brunswick site, immediate action remains critical.
"I've been advised that the council is looking to put temporary provision near the Brunswick and is currently waiting for final costings.
So that is welcome. The issue is already having a clear impact on accessibility and town centre footfall.
So can the exec member please confirm what specific timescale is now in place for delivering this temporary provision and give a clear commitment the facilities will be in place as a matter of urgency rather than this continuing drift into the main tourist season?"
Maw said.
Executive member for managing the environment Richard Foster acknowledged the severity of the shortage but stated that business owners oppose having temporary restrooms situated directly outside their storefronts.
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"This is definitely an issue for Scarborough and I do appreciate that," Foster said.
The council previously disclosed in March that it had failed to recruit local commercial partners to open their private facilities to the general public.
"We continue to look at how we can provide toilets while the Brunswick Centre remains closed," Foster said.
Foster indicated that long-term redevelopment prospects for the shuttered shopping venue might finally be progressing.
"I think there's been some positive news around the Brunswick Centre, and it might be moving forward finally," Foster said.
The local authority is still actively seeking larger corporate partners within the town centre willing to accept funding in exchange for public usage of their facilities.
"In the meantime, we continue to look at alternative provision and we're still looking for partners within the town that are large enough that we can give them money so we can use their facilities in that area," Foster said.
He reiterated that finding a suitable site for short-term units remains the primary logistical obstacle for the administration.
"Alongside that, the council is still looking at putting some short-term toilets in that area.
It's just where to site them, because if you're a business, you don't really want a set of public toilets outside," Foster said.
The executive member concluded by promising to keep representatives updated as the council continues its search for a viable solution.
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"We continue to work on it because it's an issue that won't go away," Foster said.
