FROM today, it will no longer cost 20 pence to spend a penny at the public toilets in Falmouth as the town council takes over control of the conveniences from Cornwall Council.

Speaking on behalf of the town council, Councillor Candy Atherton said: “Residents and visitors to Falmouth were unhappy at the changes to Cornwall Council public toilet provision and the need to charge for use as a result of the austerity cuts being made.

“We worked with Cornwall Council to transfer the toilets at Prince of Wales Pier, Grove Place car park, Swanpool Beach, Castle Beach, Gyllyngvase Beach and Maenporth Beach to the town council to operate.”

As part of the transfer, Cormac Solutions Ltd was instructed to bring the facilities up to an improved standard and working with the town team have incorporated the town brand colours.

Cormac’s Will Buse said: “It has been a pleasure to work closely with an enthusiastic Falmouth Town Council applying the town branding so effectively to the toilets, giving them a fresh new vibe.

“Without the engagement/ funding from Cornwall Council however, none of the works would have been able to take place. Cormac and Cornwall Council have worked in partnership to install energy saving measures into the toilets transferred to Falmouth Town Council, this will severely reduce the energy bills of the toilets helping Falmouth Town Council to run the toilets in the future.”

In addition the town council will continue to operate its free toilets at Kimberley Park.