SHROPSHIRE Council is flushed with success after winning eight five-star grades for its public toilets in the Bridgnorth area in this year’s ‘Loo of the Year Awards.’
The toilets are at Fox Corner, Innage Lane and Listley Street, all in Bridgnorth, as well as at St Mary’s Lane, Much Wenlock; Dark Lane, Broseley; the Crown Inn car park, Albrighton; Orchard Street, Highley and Aston Street, Shifnal.
The council’s delighted street scenes manager, Glen McGrandle, who is responsible for the upkeep of the toilets, is pictured with an award outside the Fox Corner lavatories.
“The council’s entries were awarded these grades in the ‘Away from Home Loo’ category,” explained Jennifer Fullard, the council’s communications officer for development services.
“The ‘Loo of the Year Awards’ and associated ‘Attendant of the Year Awards’ for cleaning staff have been identifying the best in Britain since 1987 and are seen as standard setters for all away from home facilities.
“The awards are recognised by local authorities and the commercial sectors and are designed to recognise cleanliness, high standards of presentation and quality provision for users.
“Every entry received an unannounced visit from inspectors and was graded against over 100 category criteria, including cleanliness, fixtures and fittings and signage.
“Over 1,500 entries were received during 2009 in six separate category areas of the competition, with several first time entrants submitting their units for assessment.
“Shropshire Council and their public convenience contractor for the Bridgnorth area, Healthmatic, have worked tirelessly with local councillors and residents in many areas to ensure a high quality service is delivered and these awards highlight their efforts.
“A review of all public conveniences will be undertaken across Shropshire in the New Year to consider options for further improvements and methods of operation in communities,” she said.
David Roberts, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for local environment and the economy, thanked all council officers and contractors for their hard work.
“This is an essential service, which often gets forgotten and yet is a service which can influence a tourist’s impression of our county,” he said