New use for former Hereford toilet block approved

A former Hereford public toilet which then operated as self-service dog washing facility has been cleared to be put to a new use.

Lucky Mutt opened a year ago in the small free-standing public convenience building on the west side of Widemarsh Common.

The self-service dog washing facility charged £8 for a 12-minute session including shampoo and conditioner, and offered free parking alongside.

Last month its owners applied for planning permission to convert the pitch-roofed brick building again, this time to a barbers and aesthetics clinic.

There were no objections from officials or the public, though the council’s highways officer was told that customers “will require an appointment” at the premises.

Planning officer Josh Bailey concluded the “revised economic use” would “continue to provide an appropriate form of development” at the building.

He imposed a condition that it could only open between 8am and 7pm Mondays to Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Lucky Mutt has meanwhile posted on its Facebook page that it plans to relocate to a new premises at Bishop’s Meadows in the city, with a date for the move to be confirmed “soon”.

Its co-founder Mark Stevenson said a full announcement about the new use of the Widemarsh premises would also be made shortly.