The original disused toilet block on Sutton Green has had basic maintenance by the Council to maintain the buildings' integrity, but funds are virtually exhausted and it is in need of pretty urgent attention. Our proposal is to secure funding to totally renovate the rather spacious toilet block and whilst doing so, remodel it to incorporate a cafe / snack bar with some inside seating, perhaps with the addition of picnic-table style outside seating during the main season.

What we'll deliver:

• Provide seating for patrons
• Provide toilet facilities for all
• Renovate the toilet block improving the visual aspect of the area
• Provide equipment for the purposes of running a cafe

Why it's a great idea:

Sutton Green already has a well regarded and very well attended children’s’ playground, popular with local mums and those who come to town to go shopping. The green space alongside provides anyone who wants to use it with a small oasis away from the noise and bustle on the High Street, but it still part of that High Street. Its one main failing is that there are no loos. Mums have to cut short their trips to the playground. Children go away in tears. Users who in summer just want to laze the day away on the grass, can’t stay. Given a café with toilet facilities, the park will go from strength to strength, become a better meeting point for parents and public alike and give back the local schools an area on which to stage events to showcase the local children’s talents to the public at large. Community groups can again organise events. Importantly too, 400 new Sutton families will have somewhere to go to stretch their legs and enjoy, a common shared area

Steps to get it done:

• Approach developers to discuss contribtion

The whole ‘Northern Gateway’ into Sutton, which includes Sutton Green and the adjacent Victoria Gardens, is the subject of a large scale regeneration and development. With it comes new restaurants and shopping offers including Sainsburys and over 400 new apartments. None of the new families will live at ground level so the provision of a green space for children to play and others to relax in the open air is crucial for their well-being. There’s never been a better time for this project. The current regeneration offers a very real potential source of crowd funding from the developers, as well as the incoming Sainsburys supermarket, no doubt wishing to influence early public perception of their social responsibilities.