Tight-fisted shoppers could find themselves clenching more than their wallets when Coventry’s new toilets are built as there could be a charge for using them.

Councillors say they have yet to decide whether there would be a cost for using the new toilets when they are built in the ground floor of the library in the city centre.

Cllr Dave Batten, cabinet member (Development and Renewal) had agreed in a radio interview that a 20 pence charge could be imposed.

But he said later that the debate had not yet been held.

Cllr Batten is holding the Development and Renewal post while Cllr Bob Waugh awaits news of whether he needs a triple heart by-pass.

He said if charges were imposed they would be used to pay for the day-to-day costs.

Cllr Batten said:

“We will find the funding to build the facilities. We are hoping to have it finished by the end of this year.”

He added that the issue of charging would be discussed by councillors and also with the City Centre Company, who would be responsible for running the toilets.

The new toilets are to replace the ground floor information centre in the Central Library in Smithford Way.

Members of the new cabinet promised to get something done about the facilities in the city centre following years of complaints from frustrated shoppers.