The Diffwys public toilets in Blaenau Ffestiniog have been awarded with a Loo of the Year 2014 gold award.

The public toilets were refurbished in 2013 as part of the £4.5 million Blaenau Ffestiniog Town Centre Physical Regeneration scheme – Blaenau Ymlaen – which is partly funded by the Welsh Government, European Regional Development Fund, Gwynedd Council and the private sector.

The toilets are located in an old registered building in the centre of the town at the old ‘Station’ building from which slate was shipped to sea and across the world. The artwork inside was designed by students form Coleg Meiron-Dwyfor, Dolgellau in partnership with Blaenau Ymlaen.

2014’s competition received over 1600 entrants, with a secret visit being made to every toilet by one of the Loo of the Year team, who assessed the facility against 100 criteria.

Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council’s Economy Cabinet Member and local member for Diffwys and Maenofferen, Blaenau Ffestiniog said: “Creating a vibrant and attractive place to live, work and visit was a key vision in the Blaenau Ymlaen regeneration project, and the work to regenerate these toilets was an important part of this. It’s great that the old ‘Station’ building, which has such a rich history, can continue to be a facility of worth to residents and visitors to Blaenau Ffestiniog and has received national recognition.”

The Loo of the Year 2014 awards are supported by the national tourism bodies including Welcome to Wales and are sponsored by Clos-o-mat, Airdri, Premiere Products and Ophardt.

For more information about Blaenau Ffestiniog’s regeneration project – Blaenau Ymlaen – visit www.gwynedd.gov.uk/BlaenauYmlaen