Civic Award For Refurbished Town Centre Toilets

A project which transformed and updated town centre public conveniences has been commended by members of a town heritage society this week.

The Wrexham Area Civic Society presented the Regeneration Award to Wrexham County Borough Council for its work in renewing the public toilets on Henblas Street, part of a Grade II Listed market building in Wrexham town centre.

The toilets were temporarily closed after an Executive Board decision in February 2015, when the council agreed to review existing provision of town centre toilet facilities, and develop an upgraded provision at Henblas Street which would better serve all visitors to the town.

Work to refurbish the facilities began in April 2016, converting the former ladies-only toilets to facilities for men and women, along with disabled facilities.

The new conveniences are also serviced by a full-time attendant to ensure safety and cleanliness, supported by a 20p charge to use the facilities, which were re-opened in August.

An investment of £100,000 from the council’s capital programme was spent on renovating and improving the facilities.

Cllr Neil Rogers, Lead Member for Economic Development, said: “I’m incredibly pleased that the Wrexham Area Civic Society has seen fit to give us this award for the work undertaken at the Henblas Street toilets.

“It’s a sign of their confidence in our regeneration work in the town centre, and we welcome that.”

Geoff Foy, Chairman of the Civic Society, added: “We’re pleased about the improvement of a facility utilising under used space in a listed building and the repair of the stained glass above the entryway, but also the fact that it’s a much-needed facility  in the town centre that will help regeneration.”