Conwy County Borough Council has announced changes to public toilet services, with some toilets closing while others in Council buildings will be made available to the public.
21 public toilet facilities will remain open across the county, some on a seasonal basis from Easter to the first week of September. Meanwhile, 19 toilets in Council buildings will be available for everyone to use, alongside toilets in businesses signed up to the Council’s community toilet scheme.
List of public toilets in Conwy County
Public toilets: frequently asked questions
Every Council service has to find significant financial savings for 2024/25, including Environment, Roads and Facilities. As part of this, we are reviewing options for public toilets.
We no longer have budget to subsidise public toilets, so we have to recoup all running costs from paid-for facilities.
We have considered how much facilities get used, where there are other toilets available, and how often facilities are vandalised.
Closing toilets is a difficult decision for us to make, and we understand people will have concerns.
How many toilets are staying open?
There will be 21 public toilets staying open, some on a seasonal basis. Public toilets in 19 Council buildings will also be available to use, and toilets in businesses signed up to our community toilet scheme.
How have you decided which toilets to close?
We have considered how much facilities are used and how close they are to other available public toilets. We have also looked at how often facilities are vandalised and the ongoing repair costs.
Why are you closing toilets in tourist locations such as Colwyn Bay promenade?
Where we have facilities in popular tourist locations, we have made sure that toilets will be available seasonally, although this may not be all of the current facilities.
Have you done an Equalities Impact Assessment?
We completed an equality impact assessment for the Local Toilet Strategy. As part of carrying out the strategy, we’re making facilities available in Council buildings and we are working to increase the number of suitable businesses signed up to the community toilet scheme. Both of these actions will enhance the public toilet service for all users – there will be more than 40 public toilets available for use.
Why are there some free toilets staying open? Shouldn’t all toilets be paid for to help cover the costs?
We are looking to introduce charging at the toilets that are staying open but are not currently charged for, but there are costs associated with this and this will take some time.
Can we use toilets in Council buildings, such as Coed Pella, libraries and leisure centres?
Yes. These toilets have always been available for people using the building and this will be expanded so these toilets will be open to the public in general. There are 19 Council buildings where you can use the public toilets.
Can’t Town and Community Councils help to keep toilets open?
There are 4 public toilets that are run by Town and Community Councils, these are in Penmachno, Dolwyddelan, Llansannan and Llangernyw. We are also receiving sponsorship from Abergele Town Council, Conwy Town Council, Llanfair TH Community Council and Trefriw Community Council towards keeping toilets open in these areas. We would welcome other Town and Community Councils to do the same and we continue to talk with them about this.
Why are some toilets only going to be open seasonally? And what months does that include?
Some toilets will be open from March to October - this will reduce the operating cost but keep the toilets open during the busiest time of year. Toilets in Council buildings and at businesses on the community toilet scheme are open throughout the year.
Have you considered increasing the fee so you can keep more toilets open? I’d rather pay £1 to keep facilities open.
We know that not everyone pays the current fee – people hold the door open for the next user to avoid the fee, but still use the facility and the supplies. Increasing the fee would not change this behaviour, and we would still lose income that is needed to provide the service.
Do I need to pay? How do I do this?
Some of our toilets are pay facilities. There are instructions on the door how to use the coin payment machine. Please do not try to wedge open the doors – this damages the lock and puts the toilet out of action.
Why isn’t there an attendant at each public toilet?
We have staff onsite all day at our busiest facilities, and other staff travel between public toilets.
Community Toilet Scheme
The Community Toilet Scheme is funded and managed by Conwy County Borough Council and allows the public to use toilet facilities in approved local businesses during their opening hours.
You are welcome to use the toilets without making a purchase where you see this sign.
List of community toilets in Conwy County.
Interested in your business joining the scheme? Find out more and apply.