Visitors alighting from coaches at the Fountain Street car and coach park in Guisborough will now be greeted by a smart and modern new toilet block and improved car parking area.
£250,000 from the 'Welcome To' pot, funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, has been invested in the project, as the car park is a key drop-off point for coach tourists - meaning the new facilities and surrounding area provide the first impression of the town to many people.
They replace a rather run down, existing facility and will provide users with a better functioning, more aesthetically pleasing place to freshen up – which, it is anticipated, will help boost tourist numbers and increase local trade in the town.
Improvements to the area surrounding the toilet block and the car park itself have been carried out by the Council's own Highways Construction team, with the Works Management team providing the internal fit-out of the toilets.
Externally, a large new information board produced by Teesside firm, ScreenTech, has been erected; plus a contemporary York paving system and new seating area for the neighbouring kiosk have been installed, along with new bollards, benches and modern planters, supplied by another Teesside firm, Logic Bespoke.
The project is now 90% complete, with re-lining of the car parking bays, completion of the remaining paving, a new handrail and the planting of pretty flowers still to go.
The toilets and car/coach park are open for use as usual, however, as are the businesses on and near to the site.
Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Cllr Wayne Davies, said:
“This was an area growth plan project that the Council wanted to take forward and has been funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority's 'Welcome To' grant. The toilet block and surrounding area were in need of a major uplift – the area is the first point many visitors see of Guisborough, so it's vital from a tourism development perspective that a positive first impression of the town is given, not to mention providing improved facilities for residents who use the car and coach park too. We've had a lot of positive feedback already."
Cllr Julie Craig, with responsibility for Highways, Neighbourhoods and Transport, added:
“Our Highways and Works teams have enjoyed the project and done an amazing job, as have local company Warsett Ltd, who provided the external cladding and roofing for the toilet block itself. The area now gives a fantastic first impression and we really hope people will be pleased and look after the new facility."
Please note: the car park will be closed for one day only on Monday 9 August to allow for re-lining of the parking bays to take place.