Beach bar seeks to upgrade 'awful' council toilets

A popular beach cafe and bar is seeking to take over a council-run toilet block following complaints from customers about cleanliness and queues.

Sobo Beach in Southbourne, Bournemouth, said it often employed its own cleaners to "raise the standards" of the public toilets adjacent to its business.

After talks with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, the cafe has submitted a planning application to install what it describes as "serious upgrades", including showers and a sauna.

BCP Council said it was unable to comment on the plans but that its teams "worked hard to maintain the toilets to a high standard".

Sobo's proposals include doubling the number of ladies' cubicles, installing a public changing area for swimmers and installing outdoor showers.

The bar is also teaming up with the Saltwater Sauna to install Nordic-style saunas.

Operations manager Rich Slater said: "Sadly the toilets lack the number of facilities required for the beach users - just three ladies' cubicles often means there's a long queue.

"And the council has limited cleaners looking after all the toilets along seven miles of beach, meaning they can be left in an awful state for hours at a time."

Mr Slater said the new facilities would be accessible and remain free for public use but would be maintained and cleaned more frequently.

He said: "We hope this can become a model for how private businesses can improve public facilities at a time when councils all over the country face financial restrictions and public services are cut as a result."

Councillor Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations at BCP, said: "All toilets across the seafront are cleaned to the highest standards possible throughout the year, including at peak times.

"We kindly ask everyone visiting to have respect for other users and leave the toilets in a decent condition."

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