ILMINSTER TOWN TOILETS FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOLLOWING COUNCIL CUTS -🚽

Report by Stephen Collier for Pulman's Weekly News

The public toilets in Ilminster, located opposite Tesco, have been closed indefinitely by Somerset Council, with no confirmed date for reopening and uncertainty over their long-term future.

The closure, which came into effect on Thursday 3rd April 2025, is part of Somerset Council’s cost-saving measures amid a declared financial emergency. As part of these efforts, the Council has relinquished the lease on the facility.

A spokesperson for Ilminster Town Council informed residents: “To make you all aware, Somerset Council have closed the public toilets opposite Tesco.”

Somerset Council has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the situation. A spokesperson said: “I can’t give you a timeline, but I can confirm there is a plan to potentially reopen them. The lease was relinquished as part of the Council’s savings measures due to the financial emergency.”

In response, Ilminster Town Council is actively seeking to take over responsibility for the toilets in a bid to reopen them. The issue will be formally discussed at the full Town Council meeting scheduled for 15th April.

A spokesperson for the Town Council stated: “The Town Council will be discussing taking responsibility of the toilets at the full Council meeting.”

Somerset Council added that discussions with the Town Council have been encouraging: “We are pleased to confirm that following positive talks with Ilminster Town Council, the Town Council is looking at a proposal to take over the lease with Tesco to reopen the toilets and it will be discussed at the next council meeting.”

The closure has raised concern in the community, particularly due to the facility’s central location and importance to residents, shoppers, and visitors alike.

Whether the toilets can be brought back into service now hinges on the outcome of upcoming local council negotiations.