Work to refurbish long-closed Spalding toilets to begin

Work to refurbish and re-open a town centre public toilet is set to begin.

South Holland District Council has announced Spalding’s Sheep Market facilities will begin a makeover next month.

The site has been closed for around two years and at one point there were suggestions the building could be demolished.

Coun Henry Bingham, portfolio holder for Assets and Strategic Planning, said: “I am delighted that we can get renovation work in the Sheep Market underway and have them re-opened for the public again soon.

“I know there has been a strong need and desire to have the toilets back in use, and I thank residents for their patience whilst we made sure we could provide high-quality secure and accessible facilities for everyone to use.”

The project will include three new toilet facilities, a baby changing room and the introduction of a Changing Places facility designed for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.

The Changing Places convenience, one of three that the Council secured £150,000 government funding for across the district, is designed for people with limited mobility, or specific disabilities and care needs.

They are fitted with hoists, privacy screens, adult-sized changing benches, peninsula toilets and have space for carers.

Similar facilities have been opened at Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Gardens and also in Holbeach.

Refurbishment work will begin in October and is expected to take place across three phases, with full reopening targeted for late Spring 2024.

Early work taking place will include drainage surveys, electrical work and remodelling of the internal building to create space for the new facilities.

Once this has been completed work will begin on the Changing Places part of the building, before the final phase works on the other facilities including three separate general-use toilets, a baby changing facility with toilet and a new disabled toilet.

Work in this phase will also include roof replacement works, the installation of new, secure doorways, re-rendering of the building and remedial works to the pavement and seating around the facility.