A tender for the refurbishment of public toilets in East Cowes, valued at approximately £190,000, has been abruptly withdrawn by the IW Council. The decision, made on September 18, cites an “internal decision to halt the tender and withdraw due to a change of need within the scope.”

The original tender notice, published in July 2025 with an August deadline, sought bids for the transformation of existing facilities adjacent to the Southern Water pump station. The planned works included creating unisex and accessible WCs, reconfiguring the internal space to add a concession area for a future tenant, and undertaking external landscaping to provide a public recreation space.

The funding for the project was earmarked from the £5.8 million ‘Levelling Up’ grant, awarded by the government to the Isle of Wight Council to improve outdoor public spaces.

The proposed toilet works were one component of a wider regeneration plan for the area. Other key projects included reinstating a fully accessible WC and changing room, near the Southern Water pump station, and transforming the undercroft area, beneath the Columbine Prom building into a naturally ventilated, secure, and useable public space.

A council spokesman has confirmed that they had decided to hold off on tendering to enable them to focus on finalising the remaining part of the public realm tender for the East Cowes seafront. It shouldn’t be a long delay and they expect to go out to tender fairly soon.