The Horsefair Shopping Centre toilets in Wisbech, which have been out of action for almost a year and a half, have been re-opened ... twice.

Cambs Times: Kevin Smith (right) and cleaning supervisor Peter Balls re-open the Horsefair toilets.Kevin Smith (right) and cleaning supervisor Peter Balls re-open the Horsefair toilets. (Image: Archant)

Centre manager Kevin Smith cut the ribbon to officially signal the toilets, which were closed last year due to anti-social behaviour, are back in business.

But UKIP councillors Alan Lay and Paul Clapp, who have played a part in pushing for the toilets to be back in use, staged their own re-opening ceremony.

The toilets are now barrier operated and users have to pay 20p to use the facilities.

Mr Smith said: “I’m delighted that we’ve finally been able to reopen the toilets. We would like to thank all our shoppers for their patience whilst we’ve been working to find a solution.

“Our customers’ safety is paramount and we hope that the new pay on entry system will tackle problems that we’ve faced in the past.”

Cllr Lay said: “I was rather flushed with a feeling of joy and relief that they have finally re-opened. It’s been at least six months we’ve been pushing for it.”

He said it had been a community effort to persuade the owners to get the toilets back up and running and both he, Fenland District Council and Wisbech Town Council had lobbied hard for it to happen.

“In August I even wrote to the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, asking the Government to get involved,” said Cllr Lay.

The new barrier system will mean pushchairs can no longer be taken into the toilets, however, the disabled toilets remain unchanged and free to use for key holders.

The toilets will be open Monday to Friday 7am until 6pm, Saturday 7am until 4pm and will be closed on Sundays.

A spokesman for New River said “Re-opening the toilets was a project the Horsefair and the centre’s owners, New River Retail, worked hard on for a long time to overcome many hurdles that they faced.”