Rye will have far fewer public toilets next year after Rother District Council (RDC) approved plans to lease the buildings commercially. The toilets on the Strand and in the Gun Garden will be partly turned into coffee shops, and on the Salts the Lucknow Place building will see the creation of a new cycle hub.
The council's cabinet approved the decision on Monday, June 13, although much of the discussion was held in private because of commercial concerns. Each lease will include retaining a minimum level of toilets for public use, with businesses "making the facilities available to the public during the businesses' opening hours".
In 2024 RDC advertised most of the district's public toilets for commercial use through agents Dyer & Hobbis, for an annual rent and a percentage of turnover. The toilets on Station Approach in Rye were not advertised.
The ambitious plans for the cycle hub were initially rejected by RDC, however Monday's meeting agreed in principle to giving Rye Bay ebikes a 15-year lease on the toilets next to Rye Bowls Club. As well as offering advice on cycle routes, the company hopes to offer repairs and bikes for hire. Co-owner Martin Summers says he's relieved the plans have been approved. "We kept tweaking the plans with no feedback, but I'm looking forward to getting started. There's a lot of work to do as we'll have to strip out much of the building, but we hope to be ready by next spring." How much of the current building will be retained as public conveniences is still being discussed.
The proposal for the toilets in the Gun Garden will see half of the building turned in a coffee shop which will be open from March to October 10.00am – 6.00pm seven days a week. From November to February it will open Thursday to Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm depending on the weather.
The Strand toilets will also be partly converted into a coffee shop, initially five days a week for 12 months a year including bank holidays, with the aim of building up to seven days a
week at some point.
The new leases are expected to begin in October this year to allow conversion work, possibly closing the toilets over winter.
The Strand and Gun Garden toilets have been repaired and maintained by Rye Town Council in recent years after RDC withdrew funding. Mayor Andy Stuart said the new plans would save RTC money. "Rye will have at least some public toilets with a guaranteed future, but the devil will be in the detail." The council's meeting on Monday will discuss a response to the commercial leases.
Sarah Broadbent, Vice Chair Rye & District Chamber of Commerce, said the plans made the best of a challenging situation. "Quite how workable the arrangements will be remains to be seen. Potential long-term solutions for the Station Approach loos are still to be determined and we are continuing to look at options. They remain under RDC's operation but will need a new plan to take them forward once Rother ceases to exist - maybe sooner, if the funding situation changes. Businesses in town remain very concerned about the provision of loo facilities particularly during the high season and festivals."
Christine Bayliss, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration at RDC, acknowledged there would be fewer public toilets in Rye and across the District. "There will be a reduction but these plans will deliver public toilets that are managed and cared for, with a long term future, and no cost to the tax payer. There are some interesting additional amenities and local jobs."
She said RDC would make sure businesses kept to any agreed commitments. "I understand people are sceptical, but the leases will be very specific on opening times. Closing them will be a breach of the lease."
In Winchelsea, discussions continue with Icklesham Parish Council after no bids were received for the toilets on Monks Walk in the town. At Winchelsea Beach, RDC has agreed to discuss a lease with a company that wants to build a sauna next to the toilets on Dogs Hill Road which will result in fewer parking places.
Elsewhere in Sussex, Chichester District Council has invested £200,000 in new public toilets and is committing to refurbish eight more, the BBC reports.
Cycling in Rye is also being highlighted this weekend with a Posh Jumble in support of local cycle routes. Loads of top quality clothes, bric-a-brac, & books. Rye Community Centre Conduit Hill Saturday June 21 10am-12.30pm.
