Renovation Project for Wick Public Toilets a step closer

The Highland Council has confirmed that designs for the renovation of the Wick Whitechapel Road Public Conveniences have been finalised. They include a new communal entrance, charging gate, internal CCTV, disabled toilet, upgraded showering facilities and a full internal refurbishment. The current roof will be replaced with a new pitched roof, external walls will be a re-rendered and lockers installed for travellers and town centre users.

The total investment required is believed to be in the region of £0.25m.

The discussions have been continuing with a team of Council officers, architects, engineers and local Members.  Works to date have included completing a title check, reviewing the existing provision, discussing and establishing a full scope of works, indicative work on income generation proposals and a structural condition survey.

Chair of the Caithness Committe Local Councillor Raymond Bremner said: “This project has been extremely challenging. The capital funding requests submitted to Council and reviewed last week totalled £1.7 billion. Pitched against so many other requests we have had to work together to make the strong case that investment in our public conveniences is essential.

“For a town the size of Wick to thrive and to fit in with our regeneration plans for the town centre, not to mention to cope with the growing demand, we are aiming to have a facility that will serve the need of locals and visitors now and in the future.”

He added: “A number of funding sources have been identified. It will not be an easy process bringing it all together. Planning and building warrants need to be processed. The tender process will have to be put in place and, subject to funding being finalised and a contractor being appointed, it will still be a number of months before a new facility will be opened. I’m hopeful that it will be in the middle of next year as a target date for opening.”