An “ice cream war” has broken out over hopes to transform a landmark building on the Angus coast.
The Traill Pavilion at Montrose beach was opened in 1913 after the town was given £2,000 by John and David Traill.
Just as 101 years in the public service was marked this month, latterly as public toilets, plans have been proposed to turn the building into an ice cream parlour.
But businessman Dennis Laidlaw’s plan has seen a 600-name petition of objection submitted by neighbours Henry and Gail Pinder, who already run an ice cream-selling cafe on Traill Drive.
Mr Laidlaw proposes “to create an ice cream parlour serving ice cream, hot and cold drinks, along with some confectionery. We do not intend to change any structural parts of the building”.
The building is owned by Angus Council and is up for lease as part of the local authority’s budget cuts.
The Pinders, owners of the Beach Cafe, have objected to the proposal, as they feel it would be “detrimental” to their business.
On their behalf, solicitors Donald McLaren & Co tendered the petition, which states: “We, the undersigned, are concerned constituents who urge Angus Council not to allow the Traill Pavilion to be used as a cafe/ice cream parlour/sweet shop, as this is already provided by Henry and Gail Pinder.
“There is no need for anything other than the existing public toilet facility at the beach front in Montrose.”
A letter from former council director of recreation services John Zimny was also submitted saying he is “disappointed” by the council’s actions.
He said: “For a number of years they (the Pinders) have operated the toilets at the pavilion at no cost to the council and have aided the council by being their ‘eyes and ears’ at the Seafront Splash play area and advised them immediately if equipment was damaged.”
A number of comments have also been submitted in support of the application.
Teacher Jane Mitchell wrote: “The building is beautiful and I know it would be an asset to Seafront Splash.
“Both businesses could complement each other. Additional toilets would be very beneficial too.
“As a school teacher on a trip there, we waited a very long time to use the one toilet available and we had 54 children who would have loved to buy an ice cream also.”
Pam Sangster wrote: “As many towns and cities are developing their beach or waterfronts, Montrose should benefit from people who are willing to be part of the plan to improve our facilities.”
The application will be determined by delegated decision by September 2, unless the matter is referred to a meeting of Angus Council’s development standards committee.
Following the brothers’ emigration to Australia, John Traill rose to be the head of a firm of steamship owners in Melbourne and his brother later returned to Britain for a career in banking in West Bromwich.
Their first municipal project was the creation of Traill Drive, which runs across the beach front and opened in May 1912 at a cost of £600.
The pavilion, which was known then as a shelter, was built at a cost of £1,000 and several thousand residents attended its opening.
At the time, Councillor Foreman said there was a need for a “proper pavilion where visitors and townspeople could find cover in the case of rain, a cool place from the heat of the sun and a quiet spot from the throng outside”.