Toilet trouble for Fife tourist town

The last few weeks have seen visitors returning and, with retail outlets due to re-open in the coming weeks, there are concerns over public toilets.

Debbie MacCallum, chair of Tourism St Andrews, said: “It is of increasing concern to all St Andrews businesses, visitors and the local community that the town public toilets remain shut with no apparent reopening date or guidelines established.

“St Andrews has seen an increased footfall in the last two weeks as the golf courses and the beaches have been visited extensively. This is now more critical with non-essential retail opening soon.

“Unsurprisingly, there are now concerns that the number of people being forced to relieve themselves outdoors poses an environmental and public health risk.”

St Andrews councillor Jane Ann Liston said that tourism would be “essential” in helping to restart the local economy, and that St Andrews would play a “key role” in this.

“However, visitors in particular will wish to be confident that toilet facilities will be available when the shops and other businesses re-open over the coming weeks,” Cllr Liston added.

“If not, they will either not come or there could be unfortunate consequences.”

Cllr Liston suggested that temporary self-cleaning toilets should be hired until the public toilets are re-opened.

“If the council facilities at Church Square cannot be opened next week, then temporary self-cleaning toilets should be hired, and located as centrally as possible until the council facilities can be re-opened,” she said.

Fife Council said it is working on a town centre restart approach and will work to open toilets as soon as is practicable and in line with guidance.