New public toilets planned for Herne Bay seafront at cost of £135,000

Herne Bay seafront visitors could have new public toilets by spring 2027 — if councillors back the plan at a meeting on 5 October 2026. The proposed facility would sit on the promenade about 350 metres east of the King’s Hall, close to 30 existing beach huts and a site earmarked for a new sauna.

The King’s Hall’s current external toilets are coming down during 2027 as part of the venue’s wider renovation. Removing the external block would open up more of the sea view and improve access around the building. The council says internal toilet provision at the King’s Hall will increase by 35% as part of that work.

What’s being built

The replacement facility would include:

• Two unisex cubicles
• One accessible and baby-changing unit — a type of provision not currently available at the King’s Hall’s external toilets
• An estimated build cost of £135,000
• A target opening date of spring 2027

The council has said the existing King’s Hall toilets won’t close until the new ones are open. Should an unexpected gap open up between the two dates, portable toilets would be provided.

Wider toilet picture

East Cliff isn’t the only gap in seafront provision. The toilets at St George’s remain closed because of structural problems with the building. Portable facilities are standing in for now, while the council looks at options to bring them back into use.

The Cabinet meeting starts at 7pm at the Guildhall in Canterbury. Open to the public, with a livestream available.

Key information

• Cabinet meeting: 5 October 2026, 7pm, the Guildhall, Canterbury — open to the public, with a livestream available
• Proposed opening: Spring 2027, subject to Cabinet approval
• Current King’s Hall toilets: Will remain open until the replacement facility is operational

Sources

• Canterbury City Council: Councillors to discuss plans for new East Cliff toilets (30 September 2026)