The council could close the Central Car Park and underground Market Place conveniences in the 2025/26 financial year to save more than £100,000 per year.
The newer disabled toilet block in Market Place would remain open.
Councillor Victoria Charleston, the Liberal Democrats’ administration group leader, hopes the closures would not be permanent and says steps could be taken to advertise toilets in nearby businesses for locals and tourists to use.
The Central Car Park could close under the financial plans (Image: Newsquest) She described the administration’s draft Budget as a “realistic, prudent and sensible” plan for the next five years that will continue leaders’ work.
Both of the toilet facilities that are threatened with closure cost 20p to use. The one in Central Car Park is manned by a member of staff.
Matt Sherman, 35, who owns Central Fruits in The Maltings, described the proposals to shut both conveniences as “crazy”.
Matt Sherman of Central Fruits (Image: Newsquest)
He said: “I think it’s great that they’ve opened the River Park. I think it would be a shame to then go and close the toilets.
“It could lead to another reason for someone not to come to this side of town.
“They charge 20p to use them. It should be self-funding. It’s such a basic amenity, but if you need to go, you need to go.
“If there are no toilets, people will start peeing in the streets, won’t they?
“They could even have them automated to save on the wage of the person working there.”
Michael Rose says Salisbury needs “proper conveniences” (Image: Newsquest) Michael Rose, 82, who runs jewellers Roses of Salisbury, has been working at the market for 76 years and says the area needs “proper conveniences”.
He said: “I’ve always thought they need to up the standard.
“Every town had really nice ones, and this town is sort of behind the times with it. If there’s no toilets there, what are people going to use?
“I don’t think the pubs and the shops would like people using their places. How would they respond to people just walking in to use them?
“What would the replacement be? I could go into the Guildhall as I’m local to Salisbury, but would they like everybody walking in there?
“I think it would be really wrong if we lost them completely.”
Surinder Gill, 56, who runs Waves T Shirt Store, said it would be a “big shame” for shoppers and traders if the toilets closed.
Surinder Gill (Image: Newsquest) He said: “We use them because they are convenient. The existing ones are not bad, and we’ve got thousands of people who walk through here on busy days.”
Dave Jennings, 58, who travels from Portsmouth to run a catering business at the market, said: “With the number of tourists you get here, especially in the summer, you couldn’t not have toilets. Some of the traders get here at 5am.
“If the toilets were to go, it would be disastrous. People are always asking where the toilets are, and there are things like baby changing facilities to consider.
“They do need some money spent on them. The town has suffered since Covid. This would have a massive impact.”
Dave Jennings (right) (Image: Newsquest) Shopper Jacqueline Noble, 65, said: “They need to consult with the people of Salisbury.
“There should definitely be a consultation before any final decision.
“I wasn’t born and bred in Salisbury, but I’m passionate about it.”