Timber frame under stairs

[Dunny]

I'm hoping someone can offer some advice please. The area under my stairs was converted into a toilet by the previous owner. The area behind the toilet was boarded up - I assume when the toilet was installed. 

I haven't removed the timber frame as a precaution but cannot see how it supports the stairs. 

 

Does anyone know whether it would be safe to remove the timber frame? Is it something that would have been installed when the house was built?

Many thanks in advance.

[Russell griffiths]

Nope, yank it out, just a bit of crap to make the toilet, stairs are hung from the top and fixed at the sides, not propped in the middle. 

However it might have assisted in taking some bounce out from the stairs, so I would whip it out but check it wasn’t really adding anything by bouncing on the stairs with somebody stood in the cupboard checking. 

[Simplysimon]

good quality work there, need to be careful it doesn't fall down itself.