A council has come under fire for a “bizarre” scheme to rent out eight sea shelters for £8,000 a year, which have no electricity, running water or gas.
The concrete structures are along the East Cliff Promenade in Ramsgate and are covered in graffiti.
Some show signs of fire damage, and parts of others are crumbling.
Thanet District Council says it wants to “revive the historic shelters”, and is seeking entrepreneurs “looking for unique business premises”.
A council spokesman suggested they could be used for things such as small food outlets, mobile light refreshment stands or spaces for pop-up performances.
However, the scheme has been met with criticism, as people question how a business will operate in concrete huts with no facilities.
Ramsgate resident Bill Larkins said: “If you get some sort of amenities down here like water that would be great because you can offer coffees and that type of thing.
“But I think without that you’d be looking at sort of confectionery places with crisps and drinks and I don’t know if that’s going to be viable enough for people to come down here.
“The cost of getting equipment down would be a bit extortionate, I should think.”
He believes the project will not be successful, due to the inaccessibility and the lack of facilities.
The 57-year-old added: “Due to lack of funds it probably will be a no-goer unless someone with money takes over.
“The outgoing expense would be quite a lot and I think that could put a lot of people off.”
However, he does think that something needs to be done to improve the look of the structures, saying: “Kids just use it at the moment.
“It’s a waste and it would be great to have something down here.”
The local authority’s announcement of the idea was met with backlash on social media.
Revealing the project, TDC wrote: “Calling all entrepreneurs! Are you looking for a unique location for business premises?
“We’re leasing eight concrete shelters along Ramsgate’s East Cliff coastal promenade.
“The shelters are available as a bundle at £8,000 per year, with a two-year rent-free period to allow for refurbishment.”
Mark Cutts wrote in response: “What a bizarre opportunity.
“What does one’s business do with eight refurbished shelters?”
Karen Dawkins added: “I’m not sure I’m understanding this correctly. Firstly, aren’t they supposed to be public shelters?
‘This is scratching the bottom of the barrel stuff…’
“Secondly, what possible usage can people get from them as a business property? Thirdly, is this just a way for others to maintain something you can’t do?”
Jade Cadman commented: “This is scratching the bottom of the barrel stuff. Offer them to local charities.”
People also noted that homeless people currently sleep in the shelters.
The council has responded to the criticism, noting that they have already received 13 expressions of interest.
A spokesman said: “The decision to lease eight coastal shelters on Ramsgate’s East Cliff was made in response to proposals for commercial enterprises received from members of the public in recent months.
“Achieving the best outcome for council-owned assets is important to the council; the opportunity is being promoted to local people to test the market, and to encourage expressions of interest from a range of sectors.
“We welcome ideas for a range of uses. These could include, but are not limited to, small food outlets, mobile light refreshment stands, spaces for pop-up performances and art, bases for fitness and wellbeing activities, or lockable storage.
“There are many successful coastal concessions already in place around the Thanet coastline, including saunas, boot camps, ice cream kiosks and coastal watch stations.
“The lease provides an opportunity to refurbish the historic shelters and to bring them back into use, to introduce new activities and facilities for local residents and visitors thus securing them for future generations.
“Subsequent to posting about the opportunity on Facebook, we have received 11 expressions of interest. These are in addition to two received in response to a targeted email campaign.
“The expressions of interest received are commercially confidential.”
