Public toilets to reopen in Alnwick to coincide with first market since lockdown

Public toilets are set to reopen in Alnwick town centre.
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The conveniences under the Shambles at the Northumberland Hall are expected to be open by Thursday, June 11 coinciding with the reopening of the market.

Coun Gordon Castle, member for Alnwick ward on Northumberland County Council, said: “I’m pleased to advise that Alnwick toilets under the Shambles will be open next week by 11 June at the latest.

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“As county councillor I have applied as much pressure as possible and with the Mayor wrote personally to the chief executive who has recognised that as increasing numbers of shops open, public toilets need to be available, though they must be carefully managed.

The public toilets in The Shambles in Alnwick town centre.The public toilets in The Shambles in Alnwick town centre.
The public toilets in The Shambles in Alnwick town centre.

“We will minimise the Covid risk as far as is practical and will be placing signage at the facilities, operating a one in one out system and adding 2m marking for routes in and out.

“Cleansing will occur at least three times a day as will checks of all stock levels. On arrival the cleaners will be suited with all the correct PPE.

“I am confident that most people will show the sense of responsible behaviour that has characterised the town up to now during this crisis.”

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A spokesperson from Northumberland County Council said: "A small number of public toilets in the county opened last weekend, including those at our country parks at Bolam Lake, Plessey Woods, Tyne Riverside (Prudhoe) and Druridge Bay. We hope to open the Shambles this week, subject to the appropriate safety measures being put in place.

"We continue to look carefully at how and when we can re-open all our toilets but have to be sure that our facilities are not just safe for users but also safe for cleaning staff.

"Over the coming weeks we hope to open as many as we can as this is clearly something people would like us to do - but we have to put safety first.

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"Visitors should therefore continue to plan their journeys bearing in mind that most facilities remain closed at this time."

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