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Gloucestershire Business News

Toilets open to shoppers after drugs scare

Visitors to Stroud will be able to resume their shopping without the fear of being caught short - or unwittingly embroiled in the town's unwanted drugs scene.

The market town's Bedford Street toilets are due to re-open with, those familiar with the toilets will be pleased to hear, a new range of safety measures installed.

The toilets, frequented by shoppers and customers of nearby food businesses, were closed temporarily in July after cleaners discovered needles and drugs paraphernalia there on several occasions.

Stroud District Council said it "would not compromise the safety of the public or cleaning staff, so took the decision to close the facility temporarily".

Two cubicles were re-opened in August, followed by the disabled toilet.

Officers from the district council attended a multi-agency meeting to discuss the wider issue of anti-social behaviour in Stroud, of which drugs use in public toilets was one example.

Since then a number of initiatives have been implemented including installing a sharps bin for the safe disposal of needles on the outside wall of one of the toilets, closer monitoring of CCTV in Bedford Street and increased patrols in the area by the Police, PSCOs and SDC's Neighbourhood Wardens.

Joanne Jordan, Stroud District Council's acting head of paid service said: "The closure of the toilets was always a temporary measure while we assessed how best to keep the public and cleaners safe.

"We recognise that they are an important part of the viability of the town centre economy, and with Christmas coming up it's even more important that they are fully open."

The nine toilets will be fully opened from Monday, October 15.

Picture credit: Imagery ©2018 Google maps, Map data ©2018 Google

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