A DERELICT toilet block in the New Forest that has the potential of being the unlikely setting for a cafe has gone up for sale for £180,000.

The small building had been used as a public convenience for years until the local council sold it off to a private developer.

Since then the building, called the Little Brickhouse, has been granted planning permission to change its use to an eatery.

The block, near the level crossing in Brockenhurst, has now been put up for sale and is being viewed as an attractive business opportunity.

Although some may be reluctant to spend a penny on the 30ft by 13ft former toilet, the ‘quirky’ property is expected to sell for a six-figure sum.

And whoever buys it will have to spend thousands more in ripping out the urinals, stalls and basins to convert it.

The toilets have been boarded up for the last five years and not even the owner or estate agent have ever gone inside.

Steve Smith, negotiator at Stratford and Stratford estate agents, said: “The council sold the block at auction a couple of years ago but it has been out of use for longer than that.

“They were closed because they weren’t being used and it would have been expensive to keep them open.

“The current owner, who lives in London, decided to go down the route to get planning permission for it and turn it into a cafe.

“I think that was always his plan, to turn it into a cafe and make money on it, as he is a developer.

“But he has decided to not do the work himself so he has put it back up for sale with the planning permission for £180,000.

“I don’t think he has ever been inside. It has been sealed shut for many years, but I would imagine it would have all the usual fixtures and fittings.

“It’s quirky and could be a good purchase for someone, it just requires some imagination and verve.”