Miles Jermy FROM the squalid to sublime or just bog standard, the borough's loos provide examples of both the best and worst in public conveniences.Mercury Reporters Miles Jermy and Hannah Johnson checked out toilets from Hemsby to Gorleston to check which deserved praise or a panning.

Miles Jermy

FROM the squalid to sublime or just bog standard, the borough's loos provide examples of both the best and worst in public conveniences.

Mercury Reporters Miles Jermy and Hannah Johnson checked out toilets from Hemsby to Gorleston to check which deserved praise or a panning.

Toilets were assessed using a rating system according to specific criteria, which included general cleanliness, levels of graffiti, handwashing and drying facilities, provision of toilet roll and baby changing facilities.

When it came to being flushed for success it was no contest with Pier Head, Gorleston getting top marks across all categories in both the men's and women's loos. It was the only toilet surveyed to have a warden and set the standard for cleanliness and the quality of facilities.

Also putting in a good showing were those at the Ravine on Marine Parade, Gorleston which won top marks for ladies and gents washing facilities.

But bottom of the pile for the gents was the toilet in Gorleston High Street which had no soap and toilet rolls.

The joint ladies loo-ser were the disgraceful toilets in Second Avenue and High Street, Caister. Here, cobwebs, grubby walls and wet floors all added to a sinking experience, and would probably leave visitors wishing they were somewhere else - and quick.

Overall most of the toilets visited were adequate but in need of some individual attention to really raise the standard, not only for holidaymakers and visitors to our villages and towns, but also for locals caught short while out walking or shopping.

The visits were made last Friday afternoon and followed a recent survey of toilets in Great Yarmouth. Five marks signifies very good, and one is very poor.

Beach Road, Hemsby

General cleanliness

Ladies 3 Gents 3

Graffiti control

Ladies 5 Gents 3

Washing facilities

Ladies 4 Gents 3

Toilet roll

Ladies 5 Gents 3

Baby changing facilities?

Ladies yes Gents yes

Warden? No

Overall appearance - Chipped paintwork and worn floor, but generally clean and functional.

Second Avenue, Caister

General Cleanliness

Ladies 2 Gents 3

Graffiti control

Ladies 3 Gents 4

Washing facilities

Ladies 4 Gents 3

Toilet roll

Ladies 4 Gents 4

Baby changing facilities?

Ladies No Gents No

Warden? No

Overall appearance - Wet floors and grubby walls with cobwebs, basic appearance if a bit bleak and cramped.

Beach Road, Caister

General Cleanliness

Ladies 3 Gents 3

Graffiti control

Ladies 4 Gents 4

Washing facilities

Ladies 4 Gents 3

Toilet roll

Ladies 5 Gents 3

Baby changing facilities?

Ladies No Gents No

Warden? No

Overall appearance - Generally well maintained, but one broken toilet roll holder in gents and some sand on floor which had worn appearance

High Street, Caister

Cleanliness

Ladies 1 Gents 2

Graffiti control

Ladies 4 Gents 4

Washing facilities

Ladies 4 Gents 3

Toilet roll

Ladies 5 Gents 3

Baby changing facilities?

Ladies No Gents No

Warden? No

Overall appearance - Prison-like feel with chewing gum stuffed in door frames and dirt and water on the floor with cobwebs hanging from ceilings.

Feathers Plain, High Street, Gorleston

General cleanliness

Ladies 1 Gents 3

Graffiti control

Ladies 5 Gents 4

Washing facilities

Ladies 5 Gents 2

Toilet roll

Ladies 4 Gents 1

Baby changing facilities?

Ladies No Gents No

Warden? No

Overall appearance - Generally clean if shabby appearance, no toilet roll and soap in gents, seats missing from two toilets in ladies.

Brush Quay

General Cleanliness

Ladies 3 Gents 3

Graffiti control

Ladies 5 Gents 5

Washing facilities

Ladies 4 Gents 3

Toilet roll

Ladies 5 Gents 4

Baby changing facilities?

Ladies No Gents No

Warden? No

Overall appearance - Somewhat unkempt with water on the floor, uncomfortable looking steel toilets and rusty hand drier in ladies.

Pier Head, Gorleston

General cleanliness

Ladies 5 Gents 5

Graffiti Control

Ladies 5 Gents 5

Washing facilities

Ladies 5 Gents 5

Toilet Roll

Ladies 5 Gents 5

Baby changing facilities?

Ladies Yes Gents No

Warden? Yes

Overall appearance - Very well maintained, pleasant and safe with extremely clean floors and sinks. Two toilet roll holders in each cubicle, mirror with both hand dryer and paper towels.

Marine Parade (Ravine)

General cleanliness

Ladies 3 Gents 3

Graffiti control

Ladies 4 Gents 2

Washing facilities

Ladies 5 Gents 5

Toilet roll

Ladies 5 Gents 3

Baby changing facilities?

In the unisex toilets, but cold steel ledge

Warden?

No

Overall appearance - Slightly larger portaloo style, had tissue stuck on ceiling and some graffiti, good washing facilities

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