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Village Loses Funding, Forced to Close Popular Public Toilets
30 Sep
Summary
- Shap Parish Council can no longer afford to run public toilets
- Closure will impact walkers and cyclists on the Coast to Coast trail
- Council seeks grants to refurbish and reopen toilets with pay-to-use system
As of September 30th, 2025, the public toilets in the village of Shap, Cumbria have been forced to close due to the parish council's inability to continue funding their operation. The toilets, which were previously maintained by the former Eden District Council, had been the responsibility of Shap Parish Council for the past five years.
The closure is a significant concern for the many walkers and visitors who pass through Shap as part of the iconic 190-mile Coast to Coast trail, which runs from St Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire. Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has emphasized the importance of these facilities for both residents and the thousands of people who tackle the Coast to Coast route each year.
In a bid to reopen the toilets, the parish council is currently applying for grants to update the facilities and is considering implementing a pay-to-use entry system. Council chair Jean Jackson has stressed the need to "provide a welcome" to visitors, which includes ensuring adequate toilet provisions. The council is working hard to secure the necessary funding, with the goal of having the toilets operational again by next spring.
