Newcastle's 19th century toilets could become trendy new wine bar
Want to spend a penny and have a pint? That’s what you could soon do in the famous Bigg Market underground toilets.
Having provided relief to Geordie gents since 1898, the subterranean loo sanctuary was closed to the public six years ago over fears around access to the site.
But now, six years after being put up for sale by Newcastle City Council, which could no longer afford to keep them open, a newly-formed company has applied for a licence to transform the loos into a wine bar and cafe.
WC Newcastle Ltd wants to take on the 60 sq m building – toilet cubicles and all – and become a big attraction as part of the Bigg Market regeneration.
The Newcastle-based company, run by Steven Blair and Bethany Watkins, wants to open from 11am to 11pm Monday to Wednesday, with a 2am closing time on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight on Thursdays and Sundays.
It’s not known whether WC Newcastle has bought the building outright or is renting the space, but the council was hoping to entice tenants.
In the licence application Mr Blair said: “The building is locally listed with a perspex roof with metal railings around its perimeter. Alcohol will be supplied and consumed on the premises as a cafe/wine bar. Under no circumstances will alcohol be removed from the property.”
The application may be short and sweet, listing just potential opening times and the potential to play live music, but it marks a huge leap forward for the derelict building at the centre of Newcastle’s famous party zone.
The historic loos form a focal part of plans to reinvigorate the Bigg Market area, with £3m of funding secured for a massive revamp, driven forward by the council and business improvement district company NE1 Ltd.
When the ‘flying saucer’ toilets were boarded up in 2012 the council told how it hoped a new tenant would think outside the box and transform it into a new business, with suggestions ranging from a bar or a shop to a takeaway or even an art gallery.
At the moment, the 19th century site has 18 urinals, five cubicles, a cupboard and tiled walls and floor. It has one entrance and is reached by a staircase.
An initial design submitted with the licence application reveals plans for a small bar servery, six small tables with seating and a booth. Three of the toilet cubicles would be converted into a glass wash area and storage areas, but two of the original WCs would be restored for a new generation of visitors.