Signs confirm Craig-y-Don paddling pool toilets remain free to use

Coast Café & Gift shop, located at the paddling pool, shared a photo of a laminated sign which said: "Toilets remain free of charge this season courtesy of Llandudno Town Council sponsorship in collaboration with Conwy County Borough Council."

Coast joked in their caption on Facebook: "Don't all rush for a wee!"

Llandudno Town Council have agreed to sponsor the running costs of a number of public toilets in Llandudno in collaboration with Conwy Council which includes the paddling pool toilets.

It is not known yet if members of the public will have to pay to use the toilets after March 2026 [when the sponsorship comes to an end]. 

In a statement, Llandudno Town Council told the Pioneer: "Llandudno Town Council have agreed to sponsor the running costs of a number of public toilets in Llandudno in collaboration with Conwy Council which includes the paddling pool toilets. This sponsorship will run until March 2026 and is on the basis of the paddling pool toilets remaining free of charge during this period.

"What happens beyond March depends on budget discussions to be held by Town Councillors towards the end of this year in order to present a balanced budget for 26/27 in January 2026."

Earlier this month, the Pioneer reported that tourists and residents had been left confused at the arrival of 'pay to pee' machines at site of the free attraction.

The sign that has gone up by Llandudno Town Council (Image: COAST café bar & gift shop) Conwy County Borough Council revealed in the autumn that it planned to shut 19 of its 40 public toilets as part of cost-cutting measures but Llandudno Town Council agreed to fund the facility so it remained free. 

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The cash-strapped council installed the machines county-wide as part of a plan to generate income by charging the public to use some public facilities.

Cllr Louise Emery, who sits on both Conwy County Council and Llandudno Town Council, said earlier this month: “Llandudno Town Council has agreed an annual sponsorship, which means the toilets at the paddling pool remain free.

“But the county council have gone ahead and put the charging machines on the walls of the toilets, just in case that sponsorship doesn’t happen next year, or we decide we want to charge for them.

“But fundamentally our town council wants to provide free toilets for residents and visitors, and that is why we are a bit disappointed that having those machines attached to the walls gives the impression that you have to pay. So we will be putting up signage to make it clear you don’t have to pay to go to the toilet at the paddling pool.”