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Cheddar could lose its last public toilet block

BBC Toilet block with 'ladies' and 'gentleman' sign with disabled toilet. Has black bin outside the block.BBC
The toilets up Cheddar Gorge are the only public toilets left open in the village

The last remaining public toilets in a village popular with tourists could shut permanently due to council cuts.

Cheddar, which draws visitors because of its famous gorge and other attractions, has three toilet blocks, but only one has been open since May.

Somerset Council said difficult decisions have to be made due to financial constraints but it hopes a way forward can be found.

One option is for Cheddar Parish Council to take over the running of the blocks.

Old toilet block which is closed and locked up. It has vegetation growing on its roof and its doors and gutters are painted black
The toilets in the village centre have been closed since April 2024

Russell Gibbs owns the Cheddar Gorge Pottery studio, which is next to one of the toilet blocks at Dagshole.

He said it's "ludicrous" that the gorge may not have any public toilets.

Mr Gibbs added: "More than half a million people come to Cheddar every year.

"To not be able to facilitate a human right of going to toilet - it's ridiculous."

Man looking at camera in front of his pottery studio in Cheddar Gorge. He is wearing a red top and glasses are perched on top of his head
Local businesses in Cheddar are 'disappointed' that the toilets could close

Derek Bradley-Balmer, chairman of Cheddar Parish Council, said public toilets are a "must-have" for the village.

He said: "Cheddar has the largest daily visitor footfall in Somerset.

"We feel there’s a moral responsibility for us to provide toilets - but they are going to be very expensive for a small parish council."

Man with beard looking at camera in front of toilet blocks in Cheddar Gorge
Derek Bradley-Balmer, chairman of Cheddar Parish Council, says it is hoping to take over at least one of the toilet blocks

Due to Somerset Council calling a financial emergency earlier this year, it has been unable to fund public toilets across the county.

In a statement, the council said: “Discussions regarding the potential transfer of the Dagshole public toilets are continuing and we hope a way forward can be found.

“The financial challenges facing councils are well documented and we have had to take some difficult decisions and make savings by reviewing numerous non-statutory services we can no longer afford."

It is hoped the ownership of the toilet blocks can be transferred to Cheddar Parish Council later this year.

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