Work under way to turn riverside toilet into cafe

Work to transform a former toilet block into a cafe has begun.

The project on Whitton Gardens in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, is part of an £18m town centre regeneration programme, which also includes a new cinema as well as investment in heritage buildings and green spaces.

The toilet block, which has been closed for a number of years, sits on the River Trent and is along the route of the town's heritage trail.

Sally Grindrod-Smith, director of planning, regeneration and communities at West Lindsey District Council, said it was an exciting time for the town.

She said: "The new cinema will be opened in the summer, and we've work continuing in Gainsborough town centre to help increase visitors and boost local business."

Work on the cafe is expected to be completed by May.

Council leader Trevor Young added: "It's great to see work starting on this project and I'm sure the cafe will be a welcomed addition to the area.

"Projects such as this reinforce our commitment to ensure West Lindsey is a place that allows communities and businesses to thrive and remains a place people enjoy living in and visiting."

• Whitton Gardens is part of the town's heritage trail, which is billed as a 90-minute scenic walk "through the history of this ancient market town".

• It includes nods to Gainsborough's brief spell as capital of England and some of its famous sons and daughters, including Elswitha - the daughter of a local nobleman who married Alfred the Great.

• The cafe is located on the banks of the River Trent, with some believing it was where Sweyn Forkbeard's son, Canute, attempted to hold back the waves of the Aegir - a tidal bore, which takes its name from the Norse god of the sea.

• The trail also includes Gainsborough Old Hall - billed as one of England's grandest and best-preserved medieval manor houses.

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