CASTLE Water, the UK’s largest independent water retailer, has pledged funds to save the local public toilets in the heart Blairgowrie, Perthshire, home to the company’s headquarters.
The local authority announced last year that it would stop operating the public toilets in Blairgowrie as of March 31st 2024 – a significant blow to the local community and the local tourism industry. Since then, Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) – alongside Blairgowrie and Rattray Business Association (BARBA), Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Tourism Association (BEPTA), local ward councillors and community members – has been working on a long-term solution to keep the public toilets in the town open.
Linda Tait, chair of BRDT, said: “Subject to completing the legal processes, BRDT will lease the public toilets from Perth and Kinross Council on a 25-year lease for a nominal rent with an option to buy at any time. This long-term lease provides the flexibility to make the public toilet facilities fit for the 21st century and provide additional benefits to the community.”
Following a direct appeal for help to Castle Water CEO, John Reynolds, the group announced that Castle Water has pledged to cover 50 per cent of the running costs of the public toilets on an annual basis.
John said of the pledge: “This is an important amenity for the vibrant and attractive Blairgowrie town centre. Castle Water provides water services to some of the finest loos in the land and we are keen to support the Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust to ensure high quality facilities remain available to visitors to Blairgowrie’s amazing town centre.”
Linda added: “We are extremely grateful to Castle Water and our community organisations and volunteers who have already come forward and offered their help. Our hope is others will follow in their footsteps to cover the costs of running the public toilets efficiently.”
Originally based in porta-cabin and gate lodge, Castle Water has based its headquarters in Blairgowrie since its launch in 2014. The company has since expanded its operations to multiple offices in the heart of the town centre, with additional locations across Scotland and England, and is one of the largest local employers in the surrounding area.
David Bain, Director of Digital and Marketing at Castle Water explained why supporting the local community is important to the company: “We do a lot of work in the local community because we are a large employer in the area, and we want to make sure that we build trust with the people and support the local economy where we can. The funds we have pledged will have a far-reaching impact on securing the future of tourism in the local area, which plays a vital role in the success of local businesses.”
