Rosemarkie toilets handed reprieve from the axe

A CLOSURE-threatened set of public toilets on the Black Isle have been given a temporary reprieve following the intervention of several community groups.

Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council, Rosemarkie Amenities Association and Groam House Museum have stepped in to offer a solution which could safeguard the toilets in Rosemarkie.

Their move means the toilets will remain open this winter while a permanent solution is sought. Fortrose’s toilets, which normally close for the winter, are not affected by the reprieve.

When news of the possible toilet closures first came out, fears were raised that they could affect the viability of Groam House Museum, which relies on the facilities in Rosemarkie to cater for large group visits. It feared this would deter them from visiting and threaten its tight finances.

The three groups have since voiced their frustration at Highland Council, over what they claimed was a failure to consult over the possible closure of the toilets, despite promises to the contrary.

Meanwhile, the groups believe Highland Council’s offer of a regular monthly payment of around £300 per month to any operator who takes on the toilets, may be enough to help make them financially viable. This would include vandal-proof honesty boxes to collect payments, in line with the council’s new policy of charging 50p for the use of toilets across the region.

“Based on past records, and taking account of all the costs of running the toilets, the financial package offered by the council could provide a small profit to the new operator each year – providing there were no major faults with the plumbing or the building and no vandalism, any of which could cost a significant amount to put right and poses a financial risk to the operator,” said a spokesman for the groups.

The toilets had been expected to close at the end of October, but this has been postponed pending a final decision on which of the groups might take them on. They added that discussions are still ongoing but “there is commitment from all concerned that one way or another, the toilets in Rosemarkie will remain open.”

They added: “A decision as to who the new operator will be is likely in the next month or two, certainly in time for the start of the new season next spring.”