Flushed with success! One year anniversary of community-run public toilets in Blairgowrie and Rattray

Date: Thursday 10 July

Pictured at the official handover of the public toilets in Blairgowrie and Rattray to the community in July 2024 are, from left, volunteers Gerry and Toni Nugent, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council Grant Laing, Chair of Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust Linda Tait and volunteers Olive Lamond and Mary Mackay. Image courtesy of Clare McMicking / CraicN Communicaions

Volunteers are celebrating one year of running the public toilets in Blairgowrie and Rattray this month after saving the facilites from closure.

An estimated 8,000 people have used the public toilets in the Wellmeadow since they were taken on by dedicated volunteers who were determined that Perthshire’s largest town would continue to provide a much-valued service.

Supported by Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT), which leases the premises from Perth and Kinross Council (PKC), and a number of local businesses and organisatons including Blairgowrie-based Castle Water Ltd and Graham Environmental Services, and Stagecoach, the ‘Loo Crew’ manage and run the important amenity.

The Loo Crew is made up of more than a dozen volunteers who oversee the day-to-day operation of the public toilets, which are professionally cleaned, and since being taken on by the community in July 2024, the facilities are now open for longer, from 8am to 4pm. Comments on how well kept and clean the toilets are – and how needed they are – are regularly received.

Linda Tait is chair of BRDT. She said: “The first year of running the public toilets in Blairgowrie and Rattray has been a wonderful success thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the support of sponsors, local businesses and community.

“Although we don’t monitor exact numbers, we estimate around 8000 people have used the facilities in the last 12 months, which demonstrates the demand for publicly available toilets. We get so many compliments on how clean and well run they are, which is all down to the Loo Crew who deserve a huge thank you!

“Securing the public toilets as an asset for Blairgowrie and Rattray is a great example of how BRDT can support our community to make a positive difference for those who live, work and visit our town.

“We’re very grateful to Castle Water, Graham Environmental Services, Stagecoach, Tay Valet, Norman Laing & Co, Adventure into Books, The Rotary Club and all the community organisations that have raised funds and made donations towards supporting this vital service.”

BRDT is a community-led organisation that works towards combining community-led action with an enterprising approach to addressing and tackling local needs and issues and creating social, economic and environmental strength in the town. It is a registered charity with community membership and is supported by a wider network of Scottsh organisations.

Donations can be made online on the Discover Blairgowrie website or via bank transfer - email admin@brdt.org.uk for details. Anyone who would like to volunteer as part of the Loo Crew, or businesses that can donate a service or supplies, should also email admin@brdt.org.uk

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk