SHOPPERS are being caught short as public toilets in Ellesmere Port town centre remain closed.

Labour councillors in Ellesmere Port say it is ‘shameful’ no provision has been made for people needing to spend a penny in the town.

The lavatories were closed to accommodate building work around the Port Arcades, but no alternative has been put in place or explored for when construction is completed.

Whenever the toilets have had to be closed temporarily in the past there has been an agreement with traders that people can use the staff facility on the market during opening hours or other nearby alternatives, and information has been displayed near the toilets to advise people on the whereabouts of the facilities.

Cllr Paul Donovan said: “It is shameful that this situation should continue, a public toilet near to the bus station is a basic requirement for shoppers and visitors to our town centre.

“While welcoming the recently improved toilet facilities in Chester’s Frodsham street, refurbished at great expense, it seems again that the people of Ellesmere Port are being treated as an afterthought, if at all, by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“Some of the local cafes will only allow customers to use their toilet facilities, which could certainly involve spending more than just a penny.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesman Ian Callister said: “The toilets have been out of commission for several months because of the building work there but there are alternative toilets yards away in the market.”

In 2003 Ellesmere Port Market toilet attendant Dorothy Ledsham complained of being subjected to abuse at the hands of users.