ALMOST a decade after they were closed, work to re-open public toilets in a town centre market square has finally begun.

The toilets in Shipley’s Market Square were closed by Bradford Council in 2015 as part of a wave of budget cutting measures.

But the facilities are due to re-open next year thanks to funding from the Government’s Shipley Towns Fund.

They will be run by Shipley Town Council, and are part of a wider regeneration of the market square.

One of the two toilet blocks has since been converted into shops, but the existing block will re open as three toilets: two standard and one fully-accessible with baby changing. The building will also contain storage space for market and outdoor equipment. Work has now started on the refurbishment, and the toilets are expected to open this Spring.

It means that the toilets will be open months before the work to the market square will be completed.

As previously reported, delays to that project, which will involve the removal of fixed market stalls and the installation of a new canopy, mean it is unlikely to be completed until November 2025.

Councillor Mike Connors, Chair of Shipley Town Council, said: “The lack of public toilets in Shipley town centre has been a major concern for residents, businesses and visitors . “Shipley Town Council is, therefore, delighted to announce that the long-awaited work to open new toilets has begun. “In September, the water supply was fixed and the building contractor will be on site from October. The new facilities will be housed in the former men's toilet building, located between the marketplace and the bus interchange. “The new toilets will be operated by Shipley Town Council and are funded by the Government's Towns Fund. “The Town Council is working closely with Bradford Council, which owns the building and is managing the building project. The new toilets are expected to open in April 2025.

“The new public toilets are one element of a much larger scheme to remodel and refurbish Shipley’s Market Square and the nearby Well Croft precinct. “It has recently been widely reported that these larger works have been further delayed and will not now start until 2025. “Shipley Town Council is not responsible for the larger scheme, which is being managed by Bradford District Council. However, the Town Council is taking a keen interest and is in ongoing discussions seeking the best outcome.

“We wish Bradford Council well in meeting its timescales for delivering a new look Market Square in 2025, as part of the town centre regeneration we all want to see.”