Council to engage with community on future options for Stonehaven beach toilets
Aberdeenshire Council has agreed to work with the Stonehaven community to review provision for public toilets at the town’s beach.
It follows a petition from local business owner Janice Langdon of Molly’s Café Bar, which was considered by councillors at a meeting of the Business Services Committee.
The petition called for a review of the decision taken a decade ago to close the beach toilets.
In presenting her case, Ms Langdon highlighted the growing demand for facilities in the area, driven by increased visitor numbers in recent years. She explained that despite directing people to the nearby Stonehaven Leisure Centre, many visitors continue to enter her cafe to use its toilets, creating disruption for staff and customers.
Councillors acknowledged the concerns raised, noting the impact of increased tourism following the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) in 2019, alongside a broader rise in day visitors, coach parties and motorhome users in the town.
The committee heard that public toilet provision is currently available at the nearby Stonehaven Leisure Centre in Queen Elizabeth Park – which also includes Changing Places facilities – as well as at Stonehaven Harbour and on Margaret Street.
While reaffirming that the former beach toilet facility will not be reopened by the council itself in line with existing policy, members from across the chamber expressed strong support for exploring community-led solutions.
As a result, councillors agreed to delegate authority to the Kincardine and Mearns Area Manager to begin discussions with local groups and stakeholders on potential options. These include the possibility of volunteers taking on the operation of the former beach toilets, an approach which has been successfully adopted in several communities across north Aberdeenshire.
Discussions will also consider improved signage to existing facilities and opportunities to expand participation in the council’s Comfort Partnership Scheme.
The scheme enables members of the public to use participating business toilets without the expectation of making a purchase. In return, Aberdeenshire Council provides an annual grant – currently £2,078 (pro rata depending on opening hours) – alongside promotional support.
Participating businesses benefit from increased footfall, support for operating costs and free advertising through council channels, while helping provide a valued service for residents and visitors.
Aberdeenshire Council Co-Leader and Business Services Committee chair, Councillor Stewart Adams, said afterwards: “I would like to thank the petitioner and everyone who shared their views on public toilet provision in Stonehaven. Councillors carefully considered the concerns raised and listened closely to both the petitioner and council officers. We fully recognise the importance of accessible public facilities and the council has ensured that suitable and accessible alternatives are available nearby at the Leisure Centre. However, in line with our agreed policy, the beach toilets will not be reopened or operated by the council.
“Following strong cross-chamber support, we will now work with the local community to assess what options there may be, including the potential for volunteers to take on the facility, which may involve exploring our community asset transfer process. We will also look at how we can improve awareness of existing facilities and consider further comfort partnerships with local businesses to help meet demand.”
The council will now begin engagement with local stakeholders in the coming weeks, with a view to identifying practical, sustainable options which support both residents and the town’s growing visitor economy.