A RESIDENT has criticised the number of toilet facilities at this year's Evesham Mop Fair as an "appalling oversight."

Roger Gibson says that visitors are being forced to go into pubs and coffee shops to use their toilets during the fair.

Wychavon District Council have now responded by opening the Oat Street toilets until 10pm and toilets at the viaduct next to the bridge until 10pm.

He said: "I think the lack of toilets is an appalling oversight.

"I needed to go during the mop fair and there were not any facilities, the signs are still up for Merstow Green toilets but you get there and they have been knocked down for the new Waitrose.

"The toilets at the arcade are closed and last night (Thursday) the Oat Street toilets were closed.

"It was quite quiet last night so it will be even more of a problem tonight and tomorrow night.

"The council say they will try and keep the Oat Street facilities open tonight and tomorrow but this is at the other end of the street and will take 20 to 25 minutes to get through the Mop Fair to the toilets.

"It is certainly not good for families with children, as they have to go into public houses to use the facilities which are not always great places to take a child.

"It is a bit cheeky using their facilities, and some people cannot afford to go into a coffee shop and buy a drink just to go to the toilet, they should not have to anyway.

"I think the council should get some Portaloos for the fair."

Stuart Carter, clerk of Evesham Town Council apologised for the oversight and says feedback is vital to help the mop improve in future years as it is the first to be held in the town centre.

A town council spokesman added that Wychavon District Council are responsible for managing public toilets.

He said: "It is an oversight for which I apologise.

"This is the first year away from Merstow Green so we are learning, seeing what works and what doesn’t and this feedback is invaluable.

"I have contacted WDC who are responsible for public toilets to see if the Oat Street toilets can have an extended opening for the rest of the Mop Fair, "We will have a meeting in November to review the event and how we can improve it, and ensuring the Oat Street toilets are open for future Mop Fairs will be on the list of actions."