Town council selling former public toilet block

Image source, John Devine/BBCImage caption, Debbie Clark from Wisbech Town Council said the toilets were surplus to requirements

A town council is selling a toilet block that was permanently closed in 2018 by a sealed bid – as long as it approves the planned use of the site.

Wisbech Town Council said the property was "surplus to requirements" and could be used as a commercial enterprise.

The closing date for the receipt of bids and proposals is 30 October.

People living locally welcomed the plan to bring the former convenience back to life in a new form, with suggestions of a café, coffee shop or opticians put forward.

Image source, John Devine/BBCImage caption, Clark said that Wisbech Town Council were still paying utility bills and insurance premiums for the building, despite it being dormant

The toilet block sits in a conservation area of Exchange Square near Wisbech town centre.

Debbie Clark, customer services and liaison officer for Wisbech Town Council, said the facility was purchased from Fenland District Council in 2013.

"It had to be shut in 2018 after much vandalism, we have used it as storage space for event items, but have now got a better place to keep that, so it is not really needed," she said.

Clark confirmed that the sale was for the freehold of the building.

Image source, John Devine/BBCImage caption, AJ Singh said the building could be a "great asset for the people of Wisbech"

AJ Singh said the former toilet block could be turned into an opticians, as a hairdresser, barber and dentist were all positioned close by.

"The toilets have been closed for a fair while and it could be more of a problem if they remain shut with the possibility of squatters and that sort of thing," he said.

Singh said he thought it was a good idea to make use of the empty unit and that the town council was doing the right thing by selling it.

"It just needs the right sort of business," he added.

Image source, John Devine/BBCImage caption, Robert Young said he would like to see a lovely meeting place for social gatherings at the former toilet block

Robert Young said he would not like the building to remain a public toilet.

"I can remember when it was a toilet block and it attracted some very undesirable people, drug taking etc, it all happened here," he added.

Young said that he thought that the town centre of Wisbech had enough public toilets, adding he thought "no more were really needed".

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