The financial pressure of maintaining public toilets was behind St Sampson Douzaine’s decision to close the ones at the Crocq.
Earlier this month, the Douzaine voted to close the publicly accessible facilities on Southside of the Bridge after the escalating costs were debated at the parish meeting.
The toilets have previously been closed – after the States Financial Transformation Plan saw cost cutting by Guernsey Harbours which used to be responsible for their upkeep – but the parish took them on in 2018.
The Douzaine said then that the parish would reopen and fund them, but they’ll now close again – possibly for good – in May.
The Douzaine said that costs have “surged due to minimum wage increases, vandalism, and misuse/theft of supplies, particularly toilet paper causing blockages”.
In 2022 the estimated running costs for the public toilets were £7,200. But the 2025 spend was projected to reach £21,000.
The parish said a significant capital cost of between £50,000 and £75,000 was also facing them for necessary renovations so the toilet would continue to meet required standards.
According to the Douzaine, Guernsey Harbours declined to contribute to the ongoing costs so it was decided they should close instead.