THE row over Minehead’s Jubilee Café toilets escalated this week when West Somerset Council backed claims by Minehead mayor Cllr Jean Parbrook that the facilities were available to the public.

Cllr Parbrook recently told town councillors that, after the closure of nearby public toilets at the Carousel and Warren Road the cafe’s facilities could be used by by the public on payment of 20p.

But the lease-holders, Val and Steve Pickard, complained that they had not been consulted and the toilets were not adequate for public use.

Mr Pickard said yesterday (Thursday): “When we agreed that the public could have use of our toilet there were two public loos nearby and there would only be an occasional demand for ours.

“Now things have completely changed and we have the only toilet on half the seafront. We are in an impossible situation.”

The council has issued a statement that, as owner of the property, it had provided a lease which stipulated that the café toilet could be used by the public.

The Pickards said that they bought the lease in 2008: “We have spent a considerable amount of money. The café then was almost a derelict building, falling apart, filthy and a health hazard.

“Are the Minehead mayor and the district council expecting us to finance the only seafront toilet at a minimum cost of 20p?”

Cllr Parbrook said : “I trust that the clarification from West Somerset Council ... will mean we can now continue the toilets transfer process with dignity and decorum.”