Public toilets on Margate seafront are shut and likely to stay closed during the summer due to ‘structural problems.’
The clock tower toilets in Marine Drive are the closet facilities to the main sands. The next nearest public facility is at the Nayland end of the beach or on the Stone Pier.
Thanet council says a review of the repair works has to be carried out.
A spokesman said: “The Clock tower toilets in Margate are currently closed due to concerns about the structural condition of the building. A review into the extent of repair work that may be required is currently underway and if it is possible to provide alternative toilets in this area for the summer season.”
Ward councillor Iris Johnston was alerted to the issue by beach traders. She said: ” I wrote to the relevant cabinet members but had no reply. Today I heard from an officer who has confirmed the closure. There has been a whole winter to check and make good any problems. I have asked for Portaloos.”
A review of public toilets across the isle is currently taking place as part of a bid to save £175,000 in its 2019-20 budget.
Councils are not required by law to provide the loos and continuing cuts to local authority funding have resulted in public toilets plunging by more than 600 across the country since 2010.
In 2010 Thanet council maintained 33 public toilets, dropping to 28 last year.
In January Cabinet members approved the sell-off of sites including closed public toilets in Beresford Gap, Birchington, Marina Road, Ramsgate, Minnis Bay, Birchington, Park Road, Margate, St Johns Cemetery, Margate and Albion Street, Broadstairs.
For the toilet at St Johns Cemetery preference will be given to a use that is related to bereavement. The Albion Street toilets will be transferred to Broadstairs and St Peters Town Council as part of their regeneration plans.
Land and toilets in Minster will transfer to Minster-in-Thanet Parish Council, which already looks after both sites.
In February The Isle of Thanet News revealed public toilets in Thanet could be closed in favour of a ‘community loo’ scheme.
The scheme involves businesses putting a sticker or poster in their window to let people know the facilities are available for use. The council then has a monitoring procedure in place, which includes spot checks, and needs to provide extra provision when there are large public events being held.
The London borough of Richmond Upon Thames was the first authority to launch a community loo scheme in 2002, relaunching it in 2005 and now having a chain of 70 businesses onboard.
