PUBLIC toilets are set to reopen across Stroud District.

When COVID-19 restrictions on shops are eased from next week more businesses are expected to open their doors, bringing extra shoppers in to town centres.

Public toilets in Bedford Street in Stroud town centre, Nailsworth, Dursley and Stonehouse are expected to open on Tuesday, June 16.

Because it’s not yet possible to keep to physical distancing guidelines in the Wotton-under-Edge facility, only the disabled toilets are expected to open there on Tuesday.

The reopening of all is subject to important safety tests to protect the public, which are currently underway.

Reopening dates for the rest of the Wotton site and public toilets in Painswick, Berkeley and Minchinhampton will continue to be regularly reviewed.

The Council is also working with partners on a wider high street recovery plan which will be publicised in the coming weeks.

Public toilets at Stratford Park reopened yesterday, (Friday, June 12). Although the park and skatepark there are open, subject to physical distancing guidelines, the leisure centre and play areas remain closed.

Everyone who uses these all these facilities is asked to stay at least two metres apart and to wash their hands.

“We appreciate that the district’s high street businesses have been seriously affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, and one of our key corporate delivery plan priorities is helping create a sustainable and vibrant economy that works for all,” said Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell.

“More shoppers will be out and about from next week but because of the two metre physical distancing guidelines, shopping is likely to take a bit longer. Food and drink establishments won’t be able to open until July 4 at the earliest, so we need to make toilets available as soon as is safe to do so.”

All non-essential shops compliant with a coronavirus risk assessment and following government distancing and hygiene guidelines can reopen from Monday, June 15.

To help protect public health, Stroud District Council-run toilets were temporarily closed in March but the closure has been regularly reviewed to ensure they can be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.