Hopes to turn an old Durham toilet block into café
The Hemp Garden Community Association want to transform the building
A community group hope to attract investors with their plans to convert an old toilet block into a café.
The dilapidated building at Elvet Waterside in Durham City has been put on the market by Durham County Council in a bid to redevelop the area.
Simpa Carter, a local volunteer from The Hemp Garden Community Association, has reiterated the group’s ambition of transforming the site, which has been closed for around 20 years.
“We want to build a community cafe where all profits are reinvested into the local area for the benefit of residents and the local environment,” he said.
The community interest organisation has helped renovate land at Elvet Waterside near The Racecourse cricket ground and former baths to create a public garden and community space since 2017.
The group’s initial plans have been supported by Durham City MP Mary Kelly Foy.
Earlier this year, the local authority shelved a proposal to create an outdoor gym at the former Elvet bowling green after residents said the facility was not needed.
But Mr Carter said a previously arranged meeting with the council about the site’s future never happened.
He added: “We were led to believe that we would be invited to a meeting with the council to talk about our proposals and plans. They have never got back to us since we blocked the consultation and the attempt to destroy the park by building an outdoor gym.
“We are grateful there is a bid process rather than a fixed price for it. We believe that the near-decade worth of voluntary work we have done in the area should be counted monetarily towards our bid.
“We will be meeting with investors and starting a robust fundraising campaign over the winter. As a pre-existing community association and group of volunteers and vulnerable people from marginalised communities that have done this work, we believe that the minimum we deserve is a meeting with the council to discuss the work we have done and our plans for the future.”
Durham County Council is accepting bids until January 19.
Graham Wood, economic development manager, said: “Elvet Waterside is a popular location with both residents and visitors, with stunning views of the cathedral and along the river. We are keen to find a developer that will bring the former public toilet block back into use in a way that further enhances this beautiful part of the city.
“We are grateful to all volunteers across the county who help to keep our landscapes looking fantastic. We would encourage parties interested in acquiring the former public toilet building to get in touch if they have any questions and we look forward to receiving bids in the future.”