Revamping the underground toilets on Marine Drive, Margate
Flush with cash! Thanet council is considering a whopping £600k investment to give Margate and Broadstairs some seriously posh public toilets. Two reports are on the table, ready to be scrutinized by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Tuesday, 17 September, before the big decision day with the Cabinet on Thursday, 26 September.
Back in December 2023, the Cabinet greenlit a massive £1.25 million for the first wave of toilet makeovers across the district. Nine public loos have already had their glow-ups, but now it’s Margate and Broadstairs’ turn.
The first contract, worth a cool £358k, is all about revamping the underground toilets on Marine Drive, Margate, near the Clock Tower. These loos have been shut since 2019 and can only be reached by a staircase.
The plan is to build new, accessible toilets at street level. The second contract, pegged at £283k, aims to spruce up the existing toilet block at Stone Bay, Broadstairs, and add a new accessible block at promenade level.
But hold your horses! These plans need planning permission before the council can start digging. If all goes well, construction could kick off in 2025.
Cllr Steve Albon, the man in charge of Cleansing and Coastal Services, said,
“We know how crucial public toilets are for locals and visitors alike. We’re excited to see how we can make them better and accessible for everyone. We look forward to the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Panel so we can make a swift decision.”
For all the details and to find out where your nearest public loo is, head over to the council’s website: thanet.gov.uk/public-toilets/.