Toilet block in Birchington sold for £52,000

A toilet block in Birchington has been sold at an auction for £52,000 – well above the freehold guide price of £20-£25,000.

The toilet block and land at Beresford Gap, off Dallinger Road, is said to be suitable for a variety of uses as long as all necessary consents are obtainable.

Clive Emson auctioneer Kevin Gilbert said: “This block was sold by Thanet District Council and it stands on an approach to the sea.

“There might be a number of directions in which it can be taken, but all necessary consents must be obtainable.”

The block was one of a number of closed public toilets that Thanet council agreed to sell off in January.

A ‘community loo’ scheme with local businesses or facilities transferred to town councils is also being considered by the council which is carrying out a review into the future of the isle’s public toilets.

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.