A BUSINESS association is opposing proposals to run a community toilet scheme in Overton.

Members of Overton Business Association (OBA) have written to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council objecting to plans to close the toilets in the village centre.

The borough council has asked Overton Parish Council if it will consider asking local businesses to offer their toilets to the public so it can close the facilities it runs. But OBA has criticised the plans.

Alexis Walmsley, chair of OBA, said: “They want to close the toilets and ask businesses in the village to let the general public use their toilets.

“So a shop that might have a toilet, such as a hairdressers or beauty salon or café, would be expected to let anyone go in and use their loo. It hasn’t gone down well with members.”

The mother-of-two added: “We are expecting more people to come through the village due to the opening of Bombay Sapphire at Laverstoke, and the public toilets aren’t in a good condition, which is why people try already to go elsewhere and it puts the village in a bad light.”

OBA believes the borough council should be responsible for providing public toilets in Overton, and has suggested that facilities should be better maintained by the council.

Mrs Walmsley said businesses were also against the idea of offering their toilets to the public because of the fear of theft, adding: “Toilet paper and air fresheners have been stolen and pictures taken off the wall. The beauty salon had someone go in and steal nail varnish.”

She also questioned where disabled people could use the toilet, adding: “My son is profoundly disabled and if he comes to stay and goes to the village, he has nowhere to go.”

OBA members with High Street premises pay significant business rates. Mrs Walmsley said: “OBA members already have to pay significant business rates so subsidising the council by providing toilets is completely unacceptable.”