TRAMWAY bosses have been slammed as "exceptionally dishonest" after controversial toilet provision in the South Side venue was altered to accommodate a religious event.

Last month the arts venue came under fire for claiming there was "no evidence" new unisex toilets had caused problems despite police being called after an incident in the loos.

An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA), carried out a year after the change was made, had been criticised by women's groups for saying the change would not have a negative effect.

In particular, the EQIA said the change would not impact religious groups because single sex toilets remained on the top floor of Tramway.

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However, toilet provision was returned entirely to single sex during last weekend's Sufi Festival, prompting further charges the EQIA was incomplete.

Susan Smith, of campaign group Forwomen.scot, said: "This underlines how partial and incomplete the Glasgow Life EQIA was as it failed to identify that religious groups were clearly likely to take issue with this policy.

"It is also exceptionally dishonest of Tramway to make exceptions for some protected categories but remain resistant to the concerns from others."

Last year Tramway turned its ground-floor male and female toilets into mixed gender bathrooms by changing signage to "cubicles" and "cubicles and urinals".

This prompted complaints that the former women's toilets were now open to everyone while the men's toilets would continue to be used only by men.

It was suggested that women and parents with young children would not want to use a space with a urinals.

Venue bosses have stressed that Tramway, run by Glasgow Life, provides four accessible toilets, in addition to two sets of female, two sets of male and two gender neutral toilets.

Following complaints, signage was also updated to make it easier to understand.

The EQIA concluded there was "little or no evidence" the move would have a negative effect but did not mention the police callout to reports of a man behaving in a sexually threatening way in the cubicles only toilets.

A spokesman for the Sufi Festival said organisers had asked for the toilets to be returned to their previous configuration and were very pleased with how accommodating the venue had been to its needs.

He said: "In terms of having the toilets changed back, it was to suit the audience.

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"They were confusing for people attending. We have a very diverse audience, including some who will not have English as a first language, and we thought the signs might create some confusion.

"We wanted to avoid any possibly embarrassing or unsuitable moments for visitors, especially as it is important for us to encourage the community to attend.

"We are delighted about how amenable Tramway were to our requests.

"They worked hard with us to ensure that the event benefitted everyone who came along."

Glasgow Life said feedback surveys were available to customers at the end of 2018, with the returns showing overwhelming support for the change.

Of 189 returned surveys, 178 agreed with the mixed sex provision and 19 written formal complaints were made.

With 107,531 visitors to Tramway during the survey, the returns represent 0.18 per cent of visitors.

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “The toilet provision at Tramway was temporarily realigned at the request of event organisers.

“We often work with those hiring our venue to accommodate their requirements.”