Skip to content

Public toilet blocks could become cafés or bars

Dyer & Hobbis The inside of an old public toilet block. On the left are four cubicles with a large white urinal to the right. The ceiling is white and the floor is brown tilesDyer & Hobbis
Former public toilet blocks could be converted to cafes, bars or florists, as long as they provide public toilets

A council in East Sussex says it wants lease more than a dozen of its toilet blocks to local businesses.

Rother District Council has put 14 of its toilet blocks up for lease. The authority says it is hoping that they will be used as coffee shops, bars or florists.

But businesses would still have to provide a public toilet facility during their opening hours, which must include disabled access and baby-change facilities.

“It’s a great example of the council thinking creatively with the aim of protecting services for the local community and boosting the economy," said council leader Doug Oliver.

Dyer & Hobbis Five metal urinals on a wall on the left of the image. There are two rectangle windows above them. The walls are white tiles and the floor is light brown tiles. there are two black doors on the right wallDyer & Hobbis
The council is hoping that the blocks, like the one seen here in Cooden Sea Road, will be transformed

“If these plans come to fruition, it will help us retain toilet facilities, save money in the face of a near £1.2 million pound budget shortfall and unlock business opportunities and job creation," said Mr Oliver.

“It should also assist with reducing vandalism which costs the tax payer a considerable amount of money."

The 14 sites on offer for lease are at: Cooden Sea Road, East Parade, West Parade, Little Common Recreation Ground and Little Common Roundabout and All Saints Lane, all in Bexhill, Coast Road in Normans Bay, Mount Street in Battle, Strand Quays, Gun Gardens and Lucknow Place car park in Rye, Monks' Walk in Winchelsea, Dogs Hill walk in Winchelsea Beach, and Sedlescombe.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story
Related internet links