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There's been an outcry in the press lately, pirates, about St Ives introducing fees for public toilet use for tourists and second home owners. Here's what you need to know:
Until now, all visitors to St Ives have been able to use its lavatories for free - also including one site the council lets out to a private operator.
From this summer, all this will change!
According to the town council, they spend £135,000 a year to run the toilets. They are open from dawn until dusk, and in high season they need to be cleaned five times a day.
The council says the costs are too high, and they need to raise fees to keep the services running. Earnings will help pay for vandalism repairs around the town.
There's also been a dispute with local and permanent residents and second home owners in St Ives, which is why the fees are also introduced for the latter.
The council is looking at ways to ensure second home owners cannot use their St Ives address to get free entry or share any access codes with Airbnb customers so public lavatories are only genuinely free for locals.
Only those with a primary residence in the town who pay their council tax in St Ives will get to use the lavatories for free.
Let us know your thoughts, pirates! 👇 You can comment underneath!