Michael Fleet's plans for the toilet block he bought for £90,000 are far from bog standard.

The financial adviser won the battle of the bids when former public toilets in West Road, Westcliff, came up for auction last September.

There was so much interest in the building that the opening price of £20,000 was quickly surpassed.

Mr Fleet, 43, wants to turn the former gents' loos on the lower ground into an office he can work from, and use the upper ground, where the ladies' toilets were, as a cafe and juice bar.

He said: "It's a lovely looking building. It's got character. I think it's got potential so I just went for it.

"It's a reasonable site, near the Palace Theatre and there is a gym just around the corner.

"I was looking for an office when I viewed the property, but it would be a waste to use it just for that."

Mr Fleet, of Lord Roberts Avenue, Leigh, said he believed a juice bar would be a great use of the building.

He said: "There is plenty of space for tables outside and it would be ideal for young people and families. There is nowhere in the area for people to sit outside.

"A juice bar has got a health conscious appeal to it."

The budding entrepreneur has now submitted a planning application to Southend Council to change the use of the building, and a decision is expected in February.

Mr Fleet said once given permission he would open the cafe within months.

He said he did not think people would be put off by building's past as a toilet block.

He said: "Once it's done up, it won't be the same. It will be just a beautiful, stimulating cafe."

Although Mr Fleet paid £90,000 for the building - well above the going rate for a block of toilets - he still regards it as a bargain.

"I was prepared to pay more for it," he admitted.