HOPES to reopen seafront toilets in Minehead have been sparked. 

The boss of The Arkade, Warren Road, has written to West Somerset Council to share his offer of reopening the public toilets that are attached to the building. 

After growing frustrated with having to disappoint customers, especially children, that wish to use the toilets, Marcus Kravis, managing director of The Arkade, hopes to purchase the toilets with the aim of providing them to the public. 

He says he first contacted the council about his idea in January, and is yet to hear back. 

Somerset County Gazette:

The Arkade in Minehead. 

Marcus Kravis, managing director of ‘The Arkade’, said: “After witnessing yet another bank holiday weekend without these public toilets open, we have to act.

"I understand that West Somerset Council are not able to open the toilets so my business is offering to do so for them.  

"All it needs is the OK by the people in charge.”


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The Arkade is offering, subject to a survey of the electrics and dealing with the water egress, to get the toilets up to standard at its expense and to operate the toilets at its expense with WSC only having to continue to pay for business rates, water and electricity.  

However, the council no longer maintains public conveniences, with many around the area managed by town or parish councils. 

The toilets at the Arkade, formally the Carousel, have been closed since 2015. 

Somerset County Gazette:

Marcus Kravis. 

Mr Kravis added: “The current situation is proving to be unacceptable and my business would prefer to pay for the cleaning and maintaining of the toilets then to see the dismay on people’s faces when we tell them that the toilets are closed, particularly on those with young children.”

Mr Kravis says that The Arkade has already arranged to have the correct insurance in place and would be ready to have the toilets open by the May Day bank holiday. 

A spokesman for West Somerset Council said: “We can confirm we have had an approach regarding this site but are unable to comment further.”