The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

New lobster shack could be flushed with success

Developer wants to open takeaway selling tasty crustacean­s in old toilet block

- Rob Mclaren rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk

A public toilet block could be transforme­d into a lobster shack at Arbroath harbour.

Carswell Properties Ltd has taken out a long lease on the Angus Councilown­ed property at Old Shore Head and has submitted plans to change the building into a hot food takeaway selling crab and lobster.

The plans include outdoor seating and the return of a public toilet at the east end of the harbour.

Business owner John Carswell said the project would be an added attraction to the area.

He said: “I think Arbroath would be ideal for a crab and lobster shack with the town’s fishing heritage.

“They do lobster shacks all over Fife – everywhere but Arbroath.

“We would work with local fishermen to supply the shack.

“It’s a fantastic site. There’s a bit of work needing done in the building but if planning comes through and we get a move on we might even get it up and running by the end of this summer.”

The toilets were closed by Angus Council in February 2014 as part of a cost-cutting move to shut nine public convenienc­es.

Many of the other toilets have been put up for sale but this building cannot be sold as it is part of the public land linked to the harbour.

Mr Carswell said: “The harbour is looking fantastic. The marina has been a huge success with a long waiting list. The fish shops at the harbour do a great job.

“Hopefully this would be something that would add to what’s already there.

“I don’t know if it will be seasonal, we’ll have to see what happens.

“The work on the building will

They do lobster shacks all over Fife – everywhere but Arbroath. JOHN CARSWELL

probably cost around £30,000 and that will include a unisex disabled toilet.”

Neighbours surroundin­g the building will be notified of the plans, which would see the wall separating the male and female toilets removed to create a large, open-plan area.

 ?? Pictures: Reilly Shellfish/PA. ?? The Lobster Hut in Crail provides a flavour of the type of eaterie the developer hopes to bring to Arbroath.
Pictures: Reilly Shellfish/PA. The Lobster Hut in Crail provides a flavour of the type of eaterie the developer hopes to bring to Arbroath.
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 ?? Picture: Dougie Nicolson. ?? Angus Council closed the toilet block at Old Shore Head in 2014.
Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Angus Council closed the toilet block at Old Shore Head in 2014.

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