Toilets cost pretty penny at auction

THE cost of spending a penny may have gone up in recent years, but Bideford estate agents and auctioneers Brights were surprised by the price offered when they put a public toilet block up for sale. Brights were given the opportunity by Torridge District

THE cost of spending a penny may have gone up in recent years, but Bideford estate agents and auctioneers Brights were surprised by the price offered when they put a public toilet block up for sale.

Brights were given the opportunity by Torridge District Council to offer for sale by public auction the redundant toilet block and land in Torrington Street.

With the lead up to the auction being positive, but with no prospect of any re-development of the land in the near future, the turnout mostly consisted of residents of Torrington Street.

Auctioneer Kevin Bright gave a brief description of the toilets, including the merits of their convenient location and standard appearance. Bidding started at the declared reserve of �15,000, but soon rose and kept on rising until the hammer eventually fell at �74,000.

"It just shows even with the fragile market what can happen when there is competition for a property," said Mr Bright.