TRADERS in Newcastle Emlyn are up in arms over the closure of public toilets near the mart car park.

Antique Centre proprietor Lisa Farmer has gathered over 200 signatures on a petition demanding that Carmarthenshire County Council reopens them.

Lisa, her husband Aiden and colleague Cathie Griffin say they can no longer carry on allowing the public to use the toilets in their business situated directly opposite.

“We’ve allowed pregnant women to use our facilities, the disabled, those with medical problems and those who are desperate, but on several occasions we’ve found the toilets unpleasant after use,” said Lisa.

“At the end of the day, we pay £722 per month on rates just for the building and what do we get? One street light, as we take our rubbish home with us.

“Surely the public toilets should be open?

“People come in here and verbally abuse us as though it’s our problem. It can’t go on like this.

“I’ve written to the House of Commons and I phone Carmarthenshire County Council every month, but I’m not getting anywhere. Over 1,000 people attended the food festival in July and where did they all go to the toilet? Victorian Night is coming up before Christmas.

“The nearest toilets are located at the other end of town and you can’t expect people to walk all the way over there.”

Town mayor Cllr Odette Little is also calling for the public toilets to be reopened.

See this week’s Cardigan & Newcastle Emlyn edition for the full story, in shops and online now