Town council selling former public toilet block

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.

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.

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.

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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