Public toilets on East Cowes seafront, which are more than 60 years old and described as a ‘health hazard’, could soon be redeveloped. The current public toilets at the end of East Cowes Esplanade were installed in 1961 and are still well-used by visitors to the seafront and residents of the town. East Cowes Town Council has, however, said the toilet block is in ‘extremely poor condition’ and has been ‘deteriorating for some time, requiring urgent action to be taken inside and outside to ensure it is safe for the public’. The town council has said there is black mould on the walls and ceilings, due to water ingress and being of single-skin construction. They say despite meticulous cleaning and decorating, it is “currently presenting a health hazard.” The building itself has also been the subject of vandalism, due to easy access to the roof, the town council said, so it is in ‘urgent need’ of improvement. Instead of demolishing the existing building and a installing new one, the town council has said it is keen to retain as much of the current building as is practical and renovate it. At its meeting on Thursday last week (, the authority agreed to seek a £150,000 loan from the government to undertake the work, which would be paid back over 22 years, with repayments of £11,700 a year. East Cowes Town Council has not raised its precept for residents in 2024/25 financial year and said it “does not intend to increase the council tax precept for the purpose of loan repayments.” Concerns were raised by a member of the public that £150,000 was excessive and the town council needed to be more prudent in spending taxpayers’ money, but Mayor Tracy Reardon said they had been quoted £800,000 for a rebuild. As part of the redevelopment, the outside of the curved building could get insulated cladding, a pitched roof and solar panels to power the building. ‘Extensive’ interior works would need to be done, the council said, including the rewiring, replumbing, re-plastering and floor replacement. No decision has been made about whether the new facilities would be pay-to-use.
PUBLIC LOOS ON SEAFRONT IN EAST COWES COULD BE REDEVELOPED
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“Concerns were raised by a member of the public that £150,000 was excessive”
A tory through and through, sod everyone else, just let the sea front rot. The irony being they will be the first to moan when everything closes down because their constant cutting spending to the bone has let the island go to rack and ruin. The Tories new game this election is to blame the councils for everything because some how the government does not run the UK. Tories mantra “Stop maintain everything then blame everyone else when it all falls apart.”
“quoted £800,000 for a rebuild”. That is certainly excessive! Somewhere in between would be reasonable but there is no excuse for not providing public conveniences. Stop moaning and get on with it.
Most disabled loos iv used on island are more pure filth than maybe old.the cleaners council use with our taxes clearly DONT do what we’re paying no doubt a high bill for.
Guys …i urge you when your in posh gurnard next…go too the seafront one at far end near beach huts where a cafe once was near.
Its a palace!!night n day id say
What a lovely clean disabled loo SHOULD look like.even has a coat hook!!! Shows difference in how the affluent residents and visitors get for area its situated !!
Then go too sandown…shanklin..ryde…east cowes!! Disgusting
Seaclose is one of the worst!!
Ah, yes, solar power…. I wonder how much sun will reach the panels with all those trees surronding the toilets ? £800k for a rebuild? probably a quote from one of her mates along with the brown envellope. How long before Bob gets involved ?
‘could be’………………………………
What’s the point? The pond life will only go in there and smash them up within a few days
Here we go all to go full pay for a piss then..been there decades the death rate has been so high..
The toilets may have been there since 1961, but it hasn’t been all that long since they were totally refurbished following vandalism. Clearly whoever “refurbished” them didn’t do a very good job did they? No doubt this will just be an excuse to make them pay to use, just like all the others around the island. Goodbye tourism, the town and island councils will never learn.
As stated will be a target for vandals. Why not just build basic facilities which are anti vandal resistant, but still allow someone desperate to ease themselves on basic but daily cleaned W.Cs.
So they highlight the vandalism and the easy access to the roof, but are putting solar panels up there? Asking for trouble.
Meticulous cleaning , didn’t think the council know the meaning. It’s their fault these toilets are not up to standard.
Good way to keep old farts happy