FED-UP traders in Petersfield have accused East Hampshire District Council of being "far too casual" after it was revealed new toilets in Waitrose car park would open two months late. The posh new loos were due to open in October, in time for the Christmas shopping rush. But environmental health officers at EHDC have run into problems and have been forced to put the opening back until December. Traders, including supermarket giant Waitrose, have become increasingly frustrated with the continued closure of the toilets, which are undergoing a £138,000 refurbishment. As The Herald went to press the block was surrounded with metal fencing and shoppers were still using temporary portable loos. Jill Towner, of Trevor Towner jewellery shop in the High Street, told The Herald the delay was "typical" of the district council and that it may result in shoppers spending their money elsewhere this Christmas. She said: "I cannot see any reason for them to be closed. It has looked like this for weeks. "This is typical of a council-led project. If it had been a private company they could not afford to have had it finished and not used. "From a commercial point of view it is very disappointing. A lot of people with young children need to use it. Eventually this could deter them from coming to Petersfield to shop. "I feel that it has all been far too casual. We think it has taken too long and it does not make us look like an efficient town." A spokesman from Waitrose said he hoped the new facilities were available soon so shoppers could enjoy a more "pleasant environment". "While temporary facilities are currently in place, it's important shoppers have the new facilities made available to them soon so they are able to enjoy their shopping experience within a more pleasant environment," he said. And a representative from Rams Walk shopping centre confirmed it was also "frustrated" the loos had not been opened as planned. The designer and project manager at EHDC, Brian Redwood, told The Herald an opening was planned for December 5, but that he was disappointed with the delay. He said: "I can understand their frustration. Technically they could have been opened in October. However one of the great facets is that they will have attendants. "Finding the attendants has taken longer than everyone thought. "We will be officially opening on December 5. "With the attendants in place the temporary loos will remain in place for a number of days in case there are any teething problems. Then they will be removed in the same week so that the car park will be back to what it was. "The scheduled opening was for early- to mid-October. From my point of view I'm disappointed. We wanted a minimum of two attendants, but preferably three." The revamped loos were given the go-ahead earlier this year. When completed they will have attendants, underfloor heating to keep the block "dry and wholesome" and a state- of-the-art air extraction unit. Mr Redwood said: "Hygienically, these toilets are going to be quite an improvement. And he added shoppers would not have to pay to use the toilets at the early stages of its operation "The original intention was to make the loos 'pay on entry'. But we have decided that the loos will be free over Christmas. We hope to get feedback as to how people find them," he added.
