PUBLIC toilets in Basingstoke could be shut down – because they make the town centre look bad.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has proposed shutting down the Anchor Yard toilets in New Road from October.

Another toilets set to be closed is the public facility at Buckingham Parade, in Kempshott.

By shutting the two toilets, the borough council would save £32,000 in annual running costs, and an anticipated £117,000 in maintenance over the next 20 years.

The proposals are set to go before the borough’s housing and environment committee on Thursday.

In a report, director of borough council services Karen Brimacombe recommends keeping the lesser-used toilets at Castons Yard, as it provides fresh water to the market.

She states: “These toilets, particularly at Anchor Yard, are outdated and do little to add to the positive image of Basingstoke town centre.

“The council has ambitious plans to regenerate Top of The Town and it would seem essential that it considers, as part of the Town Centre Project, what sort of facilities it would require in the future.”

The report adds: “The two toilet facilities are very close together, and the need for both to remain open, pending the provision of new facilities, is questioned.”