Next stop police - restaurant owner left shocked as loo is stolen

A PORTABLE loo has been stolen from a bus-based restaurant.

The toilet was taken between the night of Saturday, January 27, and the morning of Monday, January 28, from The Cotswold Diner, which serves food from a red bus in a layby off the A436 at Coberley.

Neil Thomas, who owns the 1950s American theme restaurant, described the theft as “unbelievable”.

The loo was kept screwed down behind some trees on a farmer’s land behind the bus.

Mr Thomas, 47, said: “It’s not an easy thing to steal. It wasn’t an opportunist.

“I think it is probably being used on a building site or a caravan camp now.”

The restaurateur added that he is not letting the loss of the loo get him down too much.

“What’s the point?” he asked. “I’m annoyed but you just have to get on with it. I will ruin my day otherwise.”

He revealed he rented the toilet for £30 a month for the last four and a half years.

The Cotswold Diner must now pay £600 in compensation to the firm which owns the stolen loo, Mr Thomas said.

He confirmed he will hire out a disabled portable toilet, which he says will be larger and harder to steal.

Mr Thomas has owned the Cotswold Diner for five years. It is well known for its £5.95 Belly Busting Breakfast Baguette.

He said he plans to report the theft of the toilet to police.