Mystery of the Fryern Arcade toilet in Chandler’s Ford – great discussion on Streelife.
The toilets were closed several years ago and I am happy to shed some light on the reasons why that happened.
Who cleaned and maintained the public toilets beneath the Fryern Arcade?
The responsibility for cleaning and maintaining the public toilets beneath the Fryern Arcade was undertaken, rather unusually, on a voluntary basis by the commercial lease holders within the Fryern Arcade.
These shopkeepers met on a monthly basis to discuss the various challenges and opportunities of running their community businesses. They formed The Fryern Tenants (or was it Traders) Association and my ex-wife Caroline Coleman (nee Thomas) was Chair of their Association.
Duties of Fryern Tenants / Traders Association
The Association were responsible for organising Market Days in the top car park where outside traders would set up stalls to sell all sorts of goodies, a bit like the Farmers Markets that are a feature in Eastleigh, Romsey and Winchester.
The Association also used to set up special events at Christmas, all designed to attract local residents to the Arcade which in turn benefitted their own businesses – happy days.
Stairway Bakery advert on a trailer at the Fryern Arcade carpark.
Who owned Stairway Bakery at the Fryern Arcade?
Caroline, who some regular customers reading this may remember, was the owner of The Stairway Bakery. She bought the business in the 90s after it went into Receivership and through her hard work, re-instated a much-loved local bakery and coffee shop popular with so many local people.
Over the years Caroline set up a sandwich bar inside the bakery which went on to become “Sandeli” (Sandwich + Deli).
My ex-wife Caroline and me. Caroline used to own Stairway Bakery in Chandler’s Ford. This photograph was taken last year.
Together, we later developed a small chain of Sandeli sandwich bars in towns around South Hampshire until we went our separate ways in 2005. Many of these stand-alone sandwich bars have not only since changed hands but changed their trading names.
However, I am pleased to say the original of these successful stand-alone businesses continues to thrive under Simon & Paula Wrankmore’s enthusiastic ownership at 149A Hursley Road at the corner of Common Road.
Sandeli on Hursley Road.
Story of the Fryern Arcade public toilets
The Fryern Tenants/Traders Association operated successfully for years. They decided to appoint a local man to keep the toilets presentable and the shopkeepers, who had happily run their businesses within the Fryern Arcade over the years, covered the cost. As the shops changed hands, some of the new arrivals objected to paying for the cleaner feeling it was not their responsibility.
Whether the Fryern Tenants (or Traders) Association still continues to meet, I cannot answer but 10 years ago, as the nature of the traders’ relationships began to change, funding of the cleaning of the public toilets eventually dried up.
Stairway Bakery at the Fryern Arcade.
Who should cover the cost of toilet maintenance?
I can recall Caroline and her fellow traders feeling that one solution to the problem of ensuring sufficient on-going funding for the maintenance of the toilets would have been for the London-based Landlords to include the cleaner’s costs within the Service Charge as a formal obligation within the terms of the traders’ leases, legally ensuring the on-going funding and provision of this very convenient facility!
What had happened to the Fryern Arcade public toilets in Chandler’s Ford?
The future of the public toilets at the Fryern Arcade
Perhaps today’s leaseholders at The Fryern Arcade would be prepared to enter this debate and let us all know whether the Landlords might not re-visit this whole question. Re-opening the public toilets for shoppers would certainly add benefit for not only parking at the Fryern Arcade but also using the shops there.
It would be one way of making the Fryern Arcade a more attractive option rather than encouraging those who find themselves crossing their legs from hurrying over to Waitrose who do offer this convenience to their customers.
Related posts on the Fryern Arcade, Chandler’s Ford:
I run the Hampshire office for Adams and Co. I moved to Chandler's Ford in 1987 from Canterbury. I am divorced with three grown up children. I love amateur dramatics. I'm also a keen single-figure golfer and member of Stoneham Golf Club where I was proud to be appointed Captain in 2011.
Thank you Nick – it’s such an important piece of information. Many people have heard of the old public toilets and now you’ve told us the background story. Wonderful! Thanks for making us more informed.
It’s no doubt that the Fryern Arcade has now become the ‘centre’ of Chandler’s Ford, with banks, a variety of shops, Waitrose, library, GP surgeries……. I hope there will be more thoughts into planning, making our community a well-connected, human-centred, and caring community, and not just focusing on generating revenues.
The lack of public toilets at the centre has revealed to us some serious questions. On Streetlife, many commenters are pondering what we are actually lacking? Apart from public toilets, where is the community spirit, and a heart for Chandler’s Ford?
I was only thinking the other day that it is unfair on Waitrose for everyone to use their “customer toilets” like a public convenience. There should be a separate convenience available for public use.
Thank you for your comment. I totally agree with you that we need public toilets in such a busy area in Chandler’s Ford. It’s only sensible to have public toilets at the Fryern Arcade as it would benefit everyone – businesses and visitors, including people with mobile issues.
More than 10 years ago, it was always stressful to visit the Fryern Arcade with a small baby. Families with small children basically were not welcomed – no place to change nappies. Luckily, the Methodist Church opens door. The Coffee Room in the Dovetail Centre at the Methodist Church opens in the morning, and we could use the toilets in the church.
[…] Don’t forget in the Fryern Arcade, we still have a traditional bakery – Stairway Bakery. Nick Coleman recently shared with us the history of Stairway Bakery, and the mystery of the Fryern Arcade public toilets. […]
[…] Nick Coleman: What Had Happened To The Fryern Arcade Public Toilets?: Fryern Arcade has become the centre of Chandler’s Ford, a centre without public toilets. […]
Thank you Nick – it’s such an important piece of information. Many people have heard of the old public toilets and now you’ve told us the background story. Wonderful! Thanks for making us more informed.
It’s no doubt that the Fryern Arcade has now become the ‘centre’ of Chandler’s Ford, with banks, a variety of shops, Waitrose, library, GP surgeries……. I hope there will be more thoughts into planning, making our community a well-connected, human-centred, and caring community, and not just focusing on generating revenues.
The lack of public toilets at the centre has revealed to us some serious questions. On Streetlife, many commenters are pondering what we are actually lacking? Apart from public toilets, where is the community spirit, and a heart for Chandler’s Ford?
I was only thinking the other day that it is unfair on Waitrose for everyone to use their “customer toilets” like a public convenience. There should be a separate convenience available for public use.
Dear Ann,
Thank you for your comment. I totally agree with you that we need public toilets in such a busy area in Chandler’s Ford. It’s only sensible to have public toilets at the Fryern Arcade as it would benefit everyone – businesses and visitors, including people with mobile issues.
More than 10 years ago, it was always stressful to visit the Fryern Arcade with a small baby. Families with small children basically were not welcomed – no place to change nappies. Luckily, the Methodist Church opens door. The Coffee Room in the Dovetail Centre at the Methodist Church opens in the morning, and we could use the toilets in the church.