Thanet council says the toilets on Margate’s Stone Pier will be closed every night from tonight (March 12).
The toilets, which are used by customers at the harbour arm’s six food and drink outlets, are being shut overnight due to “vandalism, property damage and abuse,” says Thanet council.
A council spokesman said: “A decision has been taken to close and secure the Harbour Arm toilets each evening. This is due to frequent incidents of vandalism, property damage and abuse which our staff face when they are left open at night.
“They will be the last WCs to be closed and this will take place between 6:30pm and 8pm, from today.”
Additional padlocks
Ward councillor Iris Johnston said harbour arm businesses should have keys so customers can be let into the toilets but one business person said additional padlocks have been added to the conveniences meaning they are unable to get them open.
Toilet maintenance
Harbour Arm worker Billy Nicholas disputed Thanet council’s claim of the toilets being cleaned.
The BeBeached bar and floor manager said: ” I work on the harbour arm and this is all lies. The toilets are not cleaned properly, a man comes by throws water on the floor, reads his paper then leaves.
“We are not allowed to use the toilets, they padlock them all, even the disabled ones. What do I tell my customers, ‘sorry you can’t use the loo because the council won’t look after them?’.
“All of us working on the arm offered to take over the toilet maintenance and cleaning and were refused due to, and I quote. “the council maintain proper upkeep”. It’s nothing but the lazy council doing little as possible.
