The public conveniences on Royal Parade in Filey have been closed and fenced off after structural engineers found the building’s condition to have worsened in recent months.
This deterioration has accelerated due to structural defects, age and weathering, as well as sustained heavy rainfall in recent months.
A café that sits adjacent to the toilet block has also been forced to close for safety reasons.
Plans to install temporary toilets on Royal Parade have been prioritised and efforts will be made to ensure they are operational by the end of next month (March), in time for the spring and summer season.
Longer-term proposals to redevelop and refurbish the site, including considering the installation of new permanent toilet facilities, are continuing to progress.
North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director of resources, Gary Fielding, said:
The decision to close the toilets and the café is unfortunate, but we were left with no alternative – the safety of the public is paramount.
We inherited this site from the former borough council after years of underinvestment, and work had already started on how it could be redeveloped before its condition recently worsened following the sustained period of wet weather.
This work includes proposals for the installation of new permanent toilet facilities and retail units, and ways to make the area more aesthetically appealing for users.
We are continuing to progress these proposals. However, in the meantime, it is clear that the building’s structure poses significant health and safety risks and cannot remain open.
Arrangements are in place for temporary toilets to be opened in the coming weeks, so that visitors can continue to have access to public conveniences while enjoying everything that Filey has to offer.
The council is continuing to liaise with businesses on Royal Parade, including the tenants of two nearby kiosks that are hoped to be able to remain open.
