'˜Dreadful' impact of toilets on Preston businesses

Business bosses have claimed public toilets in the city centre are damaging trade.
Fred Rolfe from Lune Street Fish and Chips says antisocial behaviour at the public toilets outside are having a negative impact on his businessFred Rolfe from Lune Street Fish and Chips says antisocial behaviour at the public toilets outside are having a negative impact on his business
Fred Rolfe from Lune Street Fish and Chips says antisocial behaviour at the public toilets outside are having a negative impact on his business

Leaders claim drug users are spending time in the unit in Lune Street, Preston, having a “dreadful” effect on businesses and the town centre.

Police, paramedics and council chiefs have been called to the site on numerous occasions, with city leaders “monitoring” the situation.

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Fred Rolfe, of Lune Street Fish and Chips, said: “No one ever uses them for the use they are intended for, and it’s having a detrimental effect on business.

“All the old people are terrified to walk through, it’s having a dreadful effect.”

He said ambulances were regularly called out, with police also contacted about the situation. He said: “At a time Chorley A&E isn’t open, I think it’s outrageous.

“I live here as well, and I see all the trouble around here.

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“It’s having a completely negative effect on the town centre and the businesses.”

Police confirmed officers had been contacted and made aware of the situation, and had given advice.

A spokesman said the issue was for the council to deal with, but said there would be patrols in the area.

A spokesman for Preston Council said: “We have been in touch with Mr Rolfe about the issues at the toilet.

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“The council has a duty to provide clean and safe public toilets.
“Those toilets are only a few years old, and we regularly clean and inspect them.”

He said the toilets were regularly supervised, but said: “We can’t have somebody in place 24-7.”

He added: “We have also made the police aware of the potential for anti-social behaviour, and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Ambulance bosses confirmed paramedics had been called to two incidents in the area on Tuesday.