THE main public toilets in Cirencester town centre have been closed for the foreseeable future due to budget cuts.

Due to financial difficulties, Cotswold District Council has limited funding to one set of loos in each market town - resulting in the Brewery Court facilities closing.

This week, CDC confirmed to the Standard that the facilities were closed on Monday, September 30 due to ‘rising costs, lowering usage and budget challenges’.

It added that it had failed to reach an agreement with Cirencester Town Council about taking over the conveniences.

A sign on the closed facilities directs shoppers to the nearby toilets in the Forum car park.

CDC deputy leader and cabinet member for finance Mike Evemy said: “Due to rising costs, lowering usage and our budget challenges, the cabinet decided in February that we would fund only one set of toilets in each of our towns while retaining both sets of toilets in Bourton-on-the-Water - our most well-used facilities.

“In Cirencester, that meant that the toilets at Brewery Court and Beeches Car Park were scheduled to close when the previous cleaning contract ended on September 30.

“There were discussions between CDC and Cirencester Town Council about taking over one or both toilets, but no agreement was reached.

“The toilets were therefore closed to the public on September 30.

“We will consider the future of the buildings in the coming months, which could include reopening one or both closed toilets should Cirencester Town Council approach us with a viable plan.”

Public conveniences in Stow-on-the-Wold’s Market Square are to remain open after CDC chose to shut the town’s other set of loos in Maugersbury Road following an outcry and a unanimous vote.

A petition against closing the Market Square toilets received more than 1,000 signatures from residents and traders.