A council is putting two of its public toilets up for sale and is hoping buyers will put the buildings to good use.

Rossendale Borough Council is selling off the former public convenience blocks in Stacksteads and Edenfield.

Previously, public toilets in Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, have been turned into a barber’s shop, and in Bacup they became the headquarters for Bacup Pride. 

There are also plans for the loos in the middle of Crawshawbooth to become a cyclists’ café.

Around the UK public loos have been transformed into permanent homes, holiday homes, apartments, restaurants, bars, cafes and in Newport, Wales, even a little theatre.

The toilets in Bury Road, Edenfield, measure 42sq metres with 16sqm of outside space, and closed around 10 years ago.

The site in Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, which is 53sqm with 179sqm of outside space, was locked for the final time during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Both buildings are connected to mains water and power supplies.

The site in Edenfield closed during Covid.

Rossendale’s senior property officer, Chris Grundy, said: “The sale of these buildings is a great opportunity for someone to develop for retail purposes.

"They would also be great for a charity location, office business space, a coffee shop or takeaway or even an ice cream parlour.”

He added: “All of the assets are subject to an independent valuation the purchaser must adhere to. We have already had inquiries about the Edenfield site.”

Lead member for environment and corporate services, Councillor Adrian Lythgoe, added: “This is a great opportunity for someone to realise the potential in developing buildings in prime sites that have already stood the test of time.

“Already across the valley former public conveniences have been brought back to life and have become iconic buildings in their communities again.”

Full details of the sales and how to show an interest will be made clear when the council announces its open bid process.