A Montrose councillor has claimed summer visitors and locals are being short changed when they need to spend a penny in one of the busiest parts of the town.
Newly-elected Independent Tommy Stewart is disappointed over the untidy state of the historic beachfront Traill Pavilion and the lack of toilet provision for seaside visitors to the popular area.
He has already taken the lead with a power washer in his own hands in trying to tidy up the 104-year-old building – created with a £2,000 gift from two local brothers –but fears the authority has missed the boat for this summer season in getting the doors to the listed building open again.
Local councillors are involved in discussions about the way forward for the pavilion and the possibility of Montrose common good cash being used to spruce it up, but Mr Stewart said he had been staggered to hear a £25,000 estimate for repainting the distinctive property.
The council previously offered the building for lease following public complaints about irregular opening hours but that arrangement collapsed after the deal with a local businesswoman was terminated.
Mr Stewart is now campaigning for a solid future for the facility.
“I am so disappointed with the state of the building and the lack of toilet provision for visitors to this busy beach area is just not on.
“There’s a disabled toilet accessible from the outside, but during the recent spell of good weather I counted 16 people waiting to get in.
“The Splash play area and the beach was packed with families and yet this building is lying empty.
“We need to get this pavilion up to scratch and open for people to use, with proper facilities. The simple fact is that just up the road in Arbroath everything is there for visiting families, so if it’s a choice then they will go there.”
He said: “Montrose councillors have been asked to consider spending common good money on the pavilion, but one of the things which has come up is a suggestion that it is going to cost £25,000 and to me that just seems a ridiculous sum.”
A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “Our officers have carried out a routine inspection of the building ahead of any potential to offer the building for lease.
“They have identified a number of items including repairs and painting to the exterior of the listed building and some internal upgrades which are estimated for budget purposes in the order of £30,000.
“Discussions are ongoing with elected members as to the direction that the members wish to take on the upkeep of this Common Good building.
