BUSINESSES, community councils, and local groups are being sought by SBC to help maintain free toilet facilities across the region.

The local authority is seeking to engage with interested parties to come forward in either a comfort scheme or community partnership.

The search follows a review by the council of the public toilet provision across the area, which resulted in 27 of the 41 facilities becoming a paid for service.

Like other authorities across the country, Scottish Borders Council are tightening their belts in response to ongoing financial challenges and reduced resources.

Several locations in the Tweeddale area, such as Hall Street in Innerleithen, plus the Eastgate Car Park, Kingsmeadows and School Brae in Peebles will become chargeable.

Public toilet facilities in Broughton and West Linton will remain free of charge.

Those who need to spend a penny will need to pay 30p per use once the scheme is rolled out in the next few months. 

A comfort scheme is where a hotel, pub, shop, village hall or public building offers its toilet facilities up for public use at no cost - regardless of whether they are a customer or not.

The facility would receive an annual payment from Scottish Borders Council for doing so.

The Borders have operated comfort schemes for several years in Eyemouth, and many others operate across Scotland and in other local authority areas.

A community partnership is where public toilets are transferred to a community group for it to provide. 

This scheme has operated in Coldingham for several years as well as other local authority areas in Scotland.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “Scottish Borders Council is keen to hear from any interested groups in taking on a comfort scheme or a community partnership. For more information, contact SBC via www.scotborders.gov.uk/publictoilets or phone 0300 100 1800.”