Yarm Public Toilet set to be improved in relocation to library as part of Council's town centre plans

Yarm's public toilet is to be relocated from the historic Town Hall into the library as part of Council plans to improve the town centre and enrich visitor experiences.

The public toilet will be permanently relocated in a new build extension to Yarm Library, which will allow the facility to have more flexible opening hours than the library's operational times.

A planning application was submitted on Friday (1 April) for the proposed toilet which will include reconfiguration of the existing library entrance lobby to allow external access to the proposed toilet through a secure area on the High Street.

The new unisex facility will be fully accessible and will be open seven days a week, meaning the opening hours will fall outside that of the library's current arrangements.

The proposed toilet extension is part of the Council's Town Centres Investment Programme to regenerate its six town centres and to improve the user experience in Yarm.

The relocation forms part of the refurbishment of Yarm Town Hall into a heritage centre, which requires the existing public toilet provision to be provided elsewhere.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: "We know that people have been keen to know about the future location of the public toilet in Yarm since we announced plans to refurbish the Town Hall.

"We are now seeking planning permission and subject to approval, the public toilet will be located in an extension to Yarm Library. It would ensure this important facility remains for shoppers, visitors and people who work in the town.

"The toilet provision in the library is much-needed for Yarm town centre and the wider community and I am pleased we have found a resolution in a discreet, yet easily accessible location.

"We're really hopeful that this new site will deliver another positive benefit to the town."

If approved, work is due to start on site in Summer 2022 with works completed before the Town Hall refurbishment starts on site. This will ensure there is continuous provision of public toilet facilities in Yarm.

A planning application was also submitted for Yarm Town Hall's refurbishment in January, with a decision expected later this Spring.

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