NEW town centre toilets are a necessity if plans for multiple food offerings at Weaver Square come to fruition, councillors have said.

A masterplan for the shopping precinct is currently under development and is set to be unveiled in the autumn or winter.

Since the fire at Northwich Outdoor Market in January which destroyed the previous public toilets, shoppers have been advised to use facilities at either Asda, McDonald's or Brio Leisure.

Cheshire West and Chester Council also confirmed in February that it has no plans to install any temporary toilets in the town centre.

But the Guardian has been regularly contacted by concerned residents who say that this is not convenient.

Outlining their vision for the future of Weaver Square, Cllr Richard Beacham, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and growth, and Witton councillor Sam Naylor both said that they would like to see more food outlets opening in the shopping precinct after development.

And they say that toilets must be included in these plans.

READ>> Councillor's vision for future of Weaver Square

Cllr Beacham said: “Presumably if there will be future food and drink offerings in the new market, there would have to be toilets.

“They were a part of the original market hall which burnt down, and if we want to have something where different food places can open up and people can dine, you can’t have that without toilets.”

Cllr Naylor added: “We have got really solid relationships with ASDA and Brio Leisure to use their toilets, so the loss of the old ones has not been massive issue.

“But depending on what the site will be used for, as it is still to be decided, if we are encouraging people to come to the site, we will need to have these facilities.”