Cllr Danny Thorpe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainability, joined Syed Naeem, Director from newly appointed contractor, Cosmur Construction, and members of his team, on the Plumstead site.

Over the next month the contractor will be finalising the detailed design for the building and then construction works will commence on site in March.

The process of accepting bids from prospective operators to lease and run the refurbished and extended building closed Wednesday 24 January.

Community Cafe

While the Council considers the submitted bids, work on converting the unused early 20th century public conveniences into a community cafe will go on.

The designs for the new build will see a new, light-filled, creative and cafe space that will remain in keeping with the Plumstead Common Conservation area.

The successful bidder will need to show they can provide more than a cafe, and that the building will become a community resource and focal point for the community, with art displays and other community events.

The leaseholder is expected to be decided in the spring and the new cafe is scheduled to open summer 2018.

'Delighted to see this project moving forward'

Councillor Danny Thorpe, Deputy Leader, said: "I am delighted to see this project moving forward, taking an unused building and transforming it into a creative, welcoming cafe and community hub that we hope will be used by local residents and the wider community."