WHO remembers the arrival of the superloo in Accrington?

Councillor Bill Parkinson, the Mayor of Hyndburn is pictured officially launching the hi-tech toilet back in 1988 watched by the leader of the council, Councillor Len Dickenson and other dignitaries.

The superloo was viewed with suspicion in some quarters. Designed for use by both men and women, the door slid open when you paid your 20p and it would automatically clean itself once you left. A timer prevented people from spending too long in there but it did lead to a few embarrassing situations as the doors opened with people still in the toilet. There were also claims that the self-cleaning mechanism would kick in a little earlier than it should have leading to a few ‘drenchings’.

If you look carefully, you can see the sign for the entrance for the original men’s toilet at the back of the market, The distinctive tiled wall can also be seen on the left of the photograph