'Not fit for purpose' toilets upgraded in £120k revamp

Mayor of Lowestoft Nasima Begum and Lowestoft town councillors at the official unveiling of the new kiosks. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) New kiosks have also been unveiled to boost footfall in Lowestoft's historic Triangle Market area.

Mayor of Lowestoft Nasima Begum and Lowestoft town councillors at the official unveiling of the new kiosks. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) An "extensive" refurbishment - as part of a "three-stage improvement plan" carried out by Lowestoft Town Council - has seen the public conveniences at the Triangle Market opened by Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft, alongside town councillors.

The refurbished toilet block at Lowestoft's Triangle Market. Picture: Lowestoft Town Council (Image: Lowestoft Town Council)

Forming part of the ongoing project to regenerate the Triangle Market area of the town's historic High Street, it comes after the recent removal of the "damaged and aged" Sails.

Back then - work under way as part of Lowestoft Town Council's three-stage improvement plan. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It has seen grassed areas added around the trees and the installation of four new wooden kiosks to complement the existing and refurbished kiosks.

A scheme to install four new wooden market stalls to help increase footfall and boost Lowestoft's market area had been given the green light in July 2022.

Mayor of Lowestoft Nasima Begum and Lowestoft town councillors at the official unveiling of the new kiosks. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Work started in April on the four wooden market stalls/kiosks with temporary fixings installed for traders.

Also in April, a scheme to revitalise a toilet block - described as "not fit for purpose" - with new environmental features was given the green light.

The upgraded Triangle Market public toilets in Lowestoft are officially opened. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Lowestoft Town Council lodged plans with East Suffolk Council in February that were subsequently "permitted" under delegated powers.

The town council said the refurbished public conveniences include two unisex toilets, a disabled access toilet and the installation of a 'living eco-roof.'

The upgraded Triangle Market public toilets in Lowestoft are officially opened. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) With the toilets closed in January for the refurbishment works, the project cost £123,000 in total.

A town council spokesman said: "Work included a complete refurbishment inside and outside the facilities, including the installation of an eco-roof and new external cladding."

The new Triangle Market public toilets in Lowestoft are officially opened. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Speaking at the official opening, the mayor of Lowestoft said: "It is my honour to mark the completion of this phase of the Triangle Market project.

"The market area has seen four new kiosks added to the existing and refurbished kiosks.

"We hope that this will encourage local traders to have a presence on the historic Triangle Market throughout the year.

"I am also delighted that the work to refurbish the public conveniences here has also been completed.

The new Triangle Market public toilets in Lowestoft have been officially opened. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "These facilities complement Lowestoft Town Council’s climate pledges with its eco-roof bringing nature and biodiversity to this area.

"With this element of the project complete, we are now able to bring these much-needed facilities back into public use.

"Both of these projects confirm Lowestoft Town Council’s commitment to the High Street and supporting this area’s ambition to be a thriving community for traders."

With these recent improvements, the town council is now looking to promote the area and encourage new traders to hire the kiosks.

The kiosks are available for pop-up, short-term and long-term use throughout the year with interested traders encouraged to contact the town council for further details.

The toilets will be open from 8am to 4pm over the winter period, with extended hours of 8am to 8pm over the summer.