Five-star loos lead to 'toilet envy'

Eight public toilets in the Chichester district will be refurbished after getting council approval.

The plans follow the demolition and rebuilding of the old toilet block in Tower Street.

The new Tower Street toilet, which opened earlier this month, cost more than £200,000 and has been said to be inspiring "envy" in other areas after receiving positive Google reviews.

The cost of the latest scheme has not yet been revealed but will be made up of money from the Asset Replacement Fund and from reserves.

Chichester District Council does not legally have to provide public toilets, but leader Adrian Moss said they were important to residents, adding that the Tower Street project had been "a triumph".

Councillor John Cross added: "There is a bit of toilet envy going on with other district councils because our Tower Street toilets have been given a five-star rating on Google and other district councils want the same!"

The toilets set for improvement are in Bracklesham Bay in Bracklesham, Pound Road car park in Petworth, Lifeboat Way in Selsey, Northgate car park in Chichester, Avenue de Chartres car park in Chichester, Hillfield Road in Selsey, Kingfisher Parade in East Wittering and Marine Drive in West Wittering.

The council will now look for a contractor to carry out the work, which will be a phased approach over the next two years, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.