Masterprint without adequate toilet facilities in council property

Alan Duffy, owner of the design and printing business, Masterprint, has been a tenant of the St Helens Council-owned Catapult Centre, on the corner of Haydock Street and Bickerstaffe Street, since 1993.

While the town centre premises has experienced general building issues over the decades, Alan said these were "always resolved within a week or two".

Over the past couple of years, however, the building has faced a "catalogue of problems" that have exacerbated due to sluggish responses from the council, the business owner said.

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Masterprint has been a tenant of St Helens Council since 1993 (Image: Alan Duffy)

Inadequate toilet facilities for 18 months

Despite raising the issue since July 2021, Masterprint employees have been left without electricity and therefore no lights, hot water, or hand dryers in their communal toilet facilities for more than 18 months.

Alan, who has four people in his employment, said: "You couldn't make it up.

"We've had staff members and cleaners using head torches to use the toilet, while others prefer to find other bathrooms elsewhere, such as the Hardshaw Centre.

"It's been tough and I'm losing credibility with the staff because nothing is getting done." 

Staff and cleaners have had to use head torches to use the toilet facilities at Masterprint (Image: Alan Duffy)

St Helens Council aware of the 'long running issue'

A St Helens Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Council is aware of an ongoing problem with the electricity supply to the toilet facilities that serve Mr Duffy’s premises, and every effort is being made to resolve this long running issue with the energy provider.

"Whilst the Council has made alternative facilities available within the Catapult Centre and the matter is now close to a resolution, we unreservedly apologise for this matter as landlord for the premises and shall continue to engage with Mr Duffy over remedy for the service he has experienced."

Masterprint have been without electricity in their toilet for more than 18 months, Alan said (Image: Alan Duffy)

Further building problems

While the council promises it is close to a resolution regarding the toilet facilities, Alan expressed his frustration at the significant delays in the repair work.

The 58-year-old also said it took months for the council to arrange a regular cleaner to look after the property, while a recent water leak resulted in a partial ceiling collapse in the unit above Masterprint.

Illegal parking outside the building's premises has also been an issue, the business owner said, with employees frequently left without spaces to park.

The ceiling collapse in the unit above Masterprint, due to a water leak (Image: Alan Duffy)

Alan added: "I set up this business in 1993 so I've been here a long time, but it feels as though we are getting neglected.

"Things have been tough over the last few years, but it doesn't feel like anything is being done to help us and the building is being left to rack and ruin.

"It doesn't feel like it should take a huge deal to resolve the problems [...] but I'm not sure if I've got any more in me to carry on fighting it."

The Catapult Centre's car park is constantly used by non-residents, Alan said (Image: Alan Duffy)

The council stated that the leak, which occurred during the 'cold snap' in December 2022, was "immediately attended to by the Council's Property Services".

Other concerns raised by Alan and Masterprint have been "positively resolved" via the Council’s established complaints procedures for tenants, a spokesperson said.