Development of community space and incubator business space to support the local community and ongoing charitable work.
Estimated Price
Not yet known
What do we want to do?
Broadford and Strath Community Company recently completed new build public toilets in Broadford, South Skye. As part of the wider plan we currently have a lease in place for the now defunct public toilet building and are progressing purchase of the building. The old public toilet building in Broadford sits on the A87, the main road through Skye, and is also on the route up to the new Broadford Primary School which is due for completion in late 2027.
Thanks to funding from The Highland Council we have carried out preparatory works including securing planning permission and building warrant for the proposed works. The development plan is for the building to be effectively split in two with one side being used for charitable purposes such as an information and food share support space with potentially some reuse / recycling space and the other side being used for “incubator” business space. Any surplus income made from the business space will be used to support ongoing maintenance and further charitable work. The “incubator” business space will be available to a new / start-up business.
Why is the project important to our community?
BSCC developed a successful Community Fridge which was started through the COVID pandemic. The Community Fridge was both a food share and a space for the Skye and Lochalsh Community Foodbank. It was a success and facilitated the reduction in huge amounts of food waste whilst supporting those more vulnerable in our area. However, its location was only ever temporary and the old public toilet building is an ideal opportunity to make further community space a permanent asset in the area. It also enables the ethos of the Community Fridge to be developed into other areas including additional community support. It should be noted that within the Trussell community*, most food share organisations now have advice and support services working directly with food assistance.
Lack of affordable and available business space for fledging businesses has also been raised in consultation over the years. As a local charity we need to ensure that there are these opportunities available to encourage local enterprise.
The old public toilets are referenced in both the Broadford and Strath Local Place Plan and the Skye and Raasay Futures Plan (SARF):
Old toilet block "Current proposal is for a mixed-use facility including business and community space”.
Skye and Raasay Futures Plan (SARF):
“Broadford Public Toilets: Development of new toilets and redevelopment of old building by BSCC.”
The old public toilets were also highlighted in previous consultations as a building that the community would like to see developed for both charitable purposes and for fledging businesses.
“It would be great to see the old public toilets utilised for the benefit of local people, whether that is laundrette or food-bank or some form of space that would benefit local people.”
"I think it’s in such a great commercial spot that the community should maximise that for passing trade- renovate it as a wee unit and either let it out commercially putting all profits into community projects , or run a community bakery / coffee spot."
“Old Public Toilets - bring back the community fridge!”
“The old public toilets should be repurposed for a community space, possibly a fridge or pantry, a multi-purpose commercial space for local enterprise.”
"More community ownership of land and buildings".
*Trussell Trust - anti-poverty charity and community of food banks.
Milestones:
October 2024 – Broadford and Strath local Place Plan registered with proposal to convert the old toilet block into a mixed use facility including business and community space
May 2025 – Planning permission approved for proposed works
September 2025 – Building warrant approved for works
Next steps:
Invitation to Quote for renovation works being sent out to Contractors
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