Council could sell Norfolk beach huts to save money

A council can sell hundreds of beach huts as a fundraising solution.

North Norfolk Council is considering several options, including offering the units to private companies or selling them entirely to a commercial operator to save money.

Although there is demand for long-term rentals with over 900 people on waiting lists, the council has seen a decline in the number of people renting short-term during the summer months.

Lucy Shires, Liberal Democrat councilor and cabinet member for finance, estates and property services, warned that removing weekly rentals could risk “reputational damage”.

The council manages 400 beach huts in Cromer, Sheringham, Mundesley and Overstrand.

It is estimated that the cottages could raise around £288,950 with long-term lettings and £45,000 with weekly rentals.

In a report to the review and control committee, officials presented a number of options for the beach huts, including renting them to a commercial operator who could then sublease them to existing tenants.

Options also include converting all weekly rentals to long-term lettings where the council has seen more demand.

Philip Bailey, Liberal Democrat councilor for Sheringham, said more information was needed on how much revenue could be generated.

“We need to know the price of what we’re charging,” he said.

Nigel Dixon, Conservative councilor and committee chairman, said: “We would have no means of preventing it, so in terms of reputational damage, there would be an exposure that we had done something that caused this.”

Committee members recommended that the council continue to manage the beach huts with the aim of increasing the price it charges for long-term rentals.

He said the council could also explore the possibility of converting more of its weekly rentals into long-term lettings.

The Information Service on Local Democracy He said a decision on the future of the beach huts will be made at a later date.