Could these be the best public conveniences in Cornwall, if not the UK?
Gerrans Parish Council recently had a dilemma which they faced head on: how to pay the £10,000 per year of resident’s money to upkeep the little used but essential public conveniences in Portscatho. They decided to try splitting the loos into two: one half becoming a cafe and the other, a new multi-sex toilet for the public.
The franchise was put out to tender and the only applicant was the Hidden Hut‘s creators, Simon Stallard & Jemma Glass, who have created a fabulous new cafe in the other half of the building and, taking over the design of the new loos, giving Gerrans Parish probably the best public connivence in the UK.
The public conveniences open this morning again after a four week refit, with ceramic butler sinks, chrome taps, wood-look flooring, feature window and a high-speed hand dryer. The disabled loos have also had a overhaul.
The new cafe, Tatams, will open on Monday serving proper Barista-style coffees and pastries. There are plans, too, to turn Tatams into a homemade pizza take-away in the winter months.
This means Gerrans Parish council have removed the £10,000 a year deficit, added another village asset, which will produce local employment and, Roseland Online believes, have helped create one of the best public conveniences anywhere in Cornwall, if not the UK.
Talk about a Win|Win solution!
Visited Tatams yesterday whilst our daughter was playing in the sea. As a family on holiday we did not realise that this was so new although the paint still smells new in the loos. Coffee was lovely as were the cakes! We commented how nice the toilets were and I actually said that it is a shame that the ones at The Hidden Hut are not as nice as they did not smell too pleasant! We had been to The Hidden Hut and had a wonderful lunch there. A credit to The Hidden Hut for taking this on and for making a positive contribution to the community and the council.
Visited Tatams for the first time today – absolutely BRILLIANT…180 degree views over Gerrans Bay and delicious cakes and cuppa tea’s… the new posh loo’s were fabulous.
Even the old loo block were always open and clean all year round. Well done Portscatho :)
Something really positive locally – that’s GREAT news!
Excellent news!! Well done. Looking forward to sampling them when next down at Rosevine. The ones at Portholland are pretty good and those at Camelford too, but they now have a serious rival.
Just shows what a bit of thought can turn a negative situation into such a positive result-well done all.
What an asset to the village !!. Good Luck all