FEARS have been raised that plans to bulldoze public toilets could damage tourism.
A decision to demolish public toilets across Hartlepool has again come under the spotlight amid concerns it will hit the town's tourism industry.

Council chiefs met to consider decisions made by Hartlepool Borough Council's cabinet at an earlier meeting.

The approvals include a massive overhaul of the towns public conveniences, such as:
• Closure of the Thorpe Street, Pilot Pier and Rocket House facilities;
• Demolition of the Ward Jackson Park, Upper Burn Valley and Maritime Experience toilets.

At an earlier meeting, Councillor Ray Waller, a Labour member for Stranton ward, said the toilets were vital for one of Hartlepool's key tourist attractions.

He told the cabinet meeting: "We should be looking to open those toilets - the Historic Quay is now on the trail of these companies that do package holidays."
And at a meeting of the Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Forum, at the Owton Manor Community Centre, Chairman Councillor Gerard Hall, pictured, again raised fears.

He said: "A major concern is Hartlepool as a tourist attraction and particularly with the Tall Ships' Race coming up in three years' time."
The scrutiny forum had made several recommendations to cabinet about each of the proposals.

They included making the toilets at Ward Jackson Park cafe available to the public during park opening hours and looking into a new policy for public conveniences at the Burn Valley.


Hall said: "I am pleased to see that cabinet has taken on board all of these recommendations."

Dave Stubbs, director of neighbourhood services, said the demolition work is set to start at the beginning of the next financial year, on April 1.

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