In January 2000 it was decide by seven of the Loo group to investigate the toilets by way of a inspection of facilities within half a mile or so of the centre of town using an agreed proforma and criteria approved by the main forum. The list supplied by the council of facilities was seriously out of date and some toilets listed were closed and others were a considerable way out of the centre of town.

In march 2000 an approved group of 7 Forum members selected 21 toilets in the Town centre to investigate and grade. Charles drew up a proforma whereby each toilet would be assessed by ten criteria.

In Aril 2000 the findings were summarised and a report was presented to the Forum on the 24th April. Contact was made with Pat Byrne, the councillor responsible for environmental issues. Pat attended a meeting of the group to discuss its findings. A meeting was also held with officers to discuss the report. On 3rd May a final appraisal grading, with comments was tabled.

After a while no action seemed to be being taken and then in 2001 Charles Sammonds attended three different meetings of the newly formed MPDP’s and raised the matter there. Each Chairman promised action from the officers. The worst loos, Queen’s Building at the Bus Station, were refurbished in 2001/2, although considerably better are still not up to a standard expected of a City’s toilets. The council established a contract with private enterprise. The first toilet from this is an automatic one in Garrick Street, outside Littlewoods.

The loos sub committee was reformed in 2004 with Jean Girdler as Chair, there followed a sustained campaign with Councillors, press and a 1200 signature petition. In 2006 it was announced that £500.000 had been set aside for new toilet facilities in the City centre and Bilston town centre. The Over 50s forum were acknowledged as the main campaigners for the provision of these new facilities which recently won an award as one of the best facilities in the Midlands. Jean and Roy Girdler were consulted on the new set up and their comments were taken into account when the new facilities were built, they also attended the opening of the new loos.

WCityStop.info

New high quality city centre facilities are now open. The facilities are based in Victoria Street and provide a reception space accessible to all members of the public including an information exchange, rest area, baby feeding and toilet facilities.

The facilities are staffed by two attendants and, in addition to state-of-the-art toilet facilities, features:

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