Two toilets to remain open this summer after closure fears, but town-wide opening hours cut

A single accessible toilet cubicle at two public toilet blocks in Newquay will be open for the summer season following concerns over proposed closures.

Newquay Town Council’s Environment and Facilities Committee agreed that one accessible cubicle at Chester Road and Pentire Headland would be open from 1 April to 30 September.

However, opening hours at town council-run toilets in Newquay are to be reduced. From 1 April, facilities will operate between 09:00 and 18:00, instead of the former opening hours of 09:00 to 21:00.

A council spokesperson said the reduced hours reflected “operational pressures and the effect of repeated vandalism, which impacts maintenance, safety and the ability to keep sites open for longer periods”.

The spokesperson added that a long-term review of all town council-managed public toilets in Newquay would now begin. The review will consider future provision, funding and maintenance requirements, community toilet schemes and other options, with engagement planned with key stakeholders.

Pentire Residents’ Association welcomed the decision to reopen the East Pentire facility. In an online post, the group said it was pleased that, after concerns were raised by residents and local businesses, the council had agreed to keep one accessible toilet open from April to September.

The association had previously written to the council saying that while it understood the reasoning behind the proposed closure, it remained concerned about unintended consequences. It warned closure could lead to environmental health issues linked to outdoor toileting, increased vandalism and criminal activity, and negative impacts on nearby businesses including the Kraken kiosk and Pitch and Putt.

The owner of the Kraken kiosk, located next to the toilets, had urged the council to keep them open during the main season. She said she must have personal access to a toilet to pass her Cornwall Council food hygiene inspection, but her lease prevented her from installing one, and warned permanent closure could result in her business being forced to shut.