A RETHINK has been urged on the proposed closure of public toilets in Richmond Market Place. Town councillors fear the move could hit tourism.

A special meeting of the authority agreed to press Richmondshire District Council to reconsider last week's cost-cutting decision to close the conveniences.

District officials were asked by the council's budget working group to trim £30,000 from the annual maintenance bill for its 26 public toilets. The Richmond Market Place ones, which cost £29,000 a year to run, were chosen for closure because they are just 200yds from other toilets at the tourist information centre.

Coun Linda Curran told an urgently-called special town council meeting on Tuesday that many elderly or disabled people getting off buses in the Market Place would find it difficult to make their way to the TIC, which involved crossing a main road. There was no disabled parking near the TIC.

Cafes and pubs often refused to allow people to use their toilets if they had not eaten in the establishment, and she criticised the district authority for failing to consult the town council before taking the decision.

Coun Andrea Dunne said the £29,000 cost of running the Market Place toilets was "absolutely staggering" and she wanted more explanation of the figure.

Members said tourists expected to find toilets in the centre of the town and saw them as part of the welcome to Richmond.

Coun Oliver Blease said the district council should have examined introducing a fee for the toilets, as happened in many other towns.

Coun Tom Burrows, who was unable to attend the meeting, sent written comments in which he supported the closure.

He said most visitors tended to go immediately to a caf in the Market Place, where there were toilets. Closure of the men's toilets would also return storage space to the town hall