A CONDEMNED toilet block has had a stay of demolition as the fight goes on to get it re-opened and a row erupts over posters pasted on the walls.

As residents apply for a government grant to get the Jubilee Road loos re-opened, Borough of Poole has agreed to postpone the demolition of the block while the scheme is explored.

Ashley Road Traders presented a petition of 2,000 signatures to Borough of Poole last week in a bid to overturn a decision to close the dilapidated toilets, replacing them with a community scheme.

Councillors voted by 21 to 19 to keep them closed and the voting record of members who represent Ashley Road was posted on the walls. Liberal Democrats and Ukip voted to re-open them while Conservatives and two Poole People voted against.

“Political fly-posting” said resident Jeff Williams, who described it as “truly shocking” and called for action to be taken.

“This is not a political fight between parties but the true results of the vote,” said Mick Williams of Avex Press Ltd.

“I printed them so that any shop who wanted to put it up, could put it up. Someone put them on the toilets.”

Now the traders are seeking to make the block containing two men’s, three ladies and a cubicle for disabled people, a community asset under the government’s Community Right to Bid.

This gives groups a chance to save assets that are important to them and covers private as well as public property. Churches, pubs and football grounds are among places listed around the country.

Richard Wilson, committee member and former chairman of the traders group, said: “This is a grant from government that allows you to open it up and use it and charge people to go in – 20p or something.”

He said there had been a dramatic decline in the numbers of people using the Jubilee Road car park since last year.

“The car park is nearly empty,” he said.

“It goes to show that it’s having a definite effect on the area. People won’t come to the area.”