WIDESPREAD support has come in from groups and societies in Corsham after the town council took over running the town centre public toilets on Friday (April 1).

The town council put an extra £23,000 into its budget to cover the running costs for 2016-17, increasing the council’s precept by 3.7 per cent, which has been backed across the community.

A new lease for the toilets, which were being managed by Wiltshire Council but were owned by Martingate Shopping Centre, has now been put in place by the town council and the shopping centre owners to prevent any closures.

“As far as I am concerned, it is better that the toilets are in the town council’s hands, a council that has always been well run, rather than Wiltshire Council’s. It is better in their sphere,” said the town’s chamber of commerce president Sue Stockley.

Neston Women’s Institute member Pam Truelove said: “It is absolutely scandalous. Who on earth thought of this idea? It is just disgusting to even consider taking them away, disabled toilets too.

“I am completely behind the town council’s decision to take them on. It is the right call.”

Shop assistant at All the Pretty Things, Michelle Hewitt, said: “I applaud the council for this decision. We pay all this money towards the Wiltshire Council but if essential things like toilets and public transport is being cut, what are they spending this money on?”

Bill Hall, owner of the Martingate Centre, said: “We are pleased that the town council has been able to take over running of the public conveniences in the town centre. We already work closely with the council in other ways such as sponsoring Free Parking Friday’s throughout April.”

Cllr Maz Wakeman, chairman of the Property and Amenities Committee, said: “It is good to see that the general public will be able to continue to use this important amenity due to the town council stepping in to provide funding and run the service.”

Corsham Town Council chief executive, David Martin was thankful for the backing he received from the community.

“It is something we had to do, not something we wanted to do. We would prefer to spend it on other priorities but people have expressed their gratitude so it is the right decision,” he said.

“We were very disappointed at the decision. Now Corsham has to shoulder those costs, not just the county. Local government funding is not what it once was.

“We are glad to have it done. Corsham is always looking to boost its tourism pulling power, so it was very important to keep the toilets open without any closures.”