CHESTER'S public toilets at the Groves, Princess Street and Grosvenor Park have reopened for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.

The facilities, reopened on Saturday, June 27, provide access to disabled facilities, baby changing and ‘Changing Places’ amenities as well as toilets and hand washing.

It is part of Cheshire West and Chester Council's strategy for reopening public services, and will see more public toilets reopened from July 3, including facilities in Ellesmere Port and Neston.

Toilets reopened on Saturday, June 27 are Princess Street, Chester (by Chester Market), The Groves and Grosvenor Park (including the changing places facility).

Opening on July 3 will be the toilets in Ellesmere Port town centre, Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port, Castle Park, Frodsham, Westminster Park, Chester, Sandy Lane, Chester, Stanney Fields, Neston and Parkgate.

New signage will be used to guide and enable customers to follow the latest hygiene and safety advice and an increased cleaning regime has been introduced.

Councillor Karen Shore, The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: "We are now able to reopen more of our community services in a phased, controlled and safe manner.

“It’s great to see more people being able to get out and about again which will help everyone’s health and well being. I encourage all of our businesses to look at the new ‘We’re Good To Go’ standard that includes one way systems, clear floor markings and queue management systems being in place to maintain social distancing at attractions.   

"I am confident we will be able to re-open more of our services across the borough in the coming weeks.  In everything we are planning it is important we get the right balance of easing restrictions and protecting health”.

Public services reopening will mean the likes of Storyhouse's library can reopen from July 4.

The council has been working with partners across the borough to ensure businesses can re-start in a safe way.

Visit Britain has just launched ‘We’re Good To Go’ a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark, in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as that sector works towards reopening.  

As a new Business support programme started this week, the council’s Business Growth team has already supported over 2,200 business enquires since the pandemic began in March.

The team has received over 100 new enquires for businesses seeking premises in the last four weeks, showing emerging start-up, expansion and opportunities are being considered by businesses and individuals.

On the high street, regulations are changing to welcome back cafes, restaurants and bars with added support of al fresco space, free licences can be applied for now.

Storyhouse library will reopen July 4, followed by Ellesmere Port, Neston, Northwich and Winsford libraries on July 13, with revised temporary opening hours. A further five libraries will be reviewed two weeks later.

Staff are returning to the Cheshire Record Office, The Grosvenor Museum, Lion Saltworks and Weaver Hall museums at the beginning of July preparing for opening on revised hours to the public from July 27.