A DRY cleaners has become the first business to start operating in a new block of retail units in Halstead.

Gorgeous Dry Cleaning has now officially opened and is based in a newly refurbished building off Chapel Street car park.

The building formerly served as public toilets but was converted into two modern retail units by Mortier and Sons after it was sold off by Halstead Town Council for £60,094.

Ian Healy, owner of Gorgeous Dry Cleaning, said: “I looked at a number of plots on the high street but they were too big and there were too many empty units.

“The estate agent showed me the plans for this unit and I really liked what I saw. There’s the car park nearby and it’s quite captive.

“The builders have done a great job and really transformed the place.

“It’s nice to see a disused building turned into something and put into good use.

“It’s a great location and isn’t far from the other shops.”

Mr Healy is venturing into his first business along with partner Danny Wingrove having spent years working in a dry cleaners in Braintree.

He added: “There was a gap in the market, so I went for it. I think there is only one other dry cleaners in Halstead and our business is quite high end, it’s very social media and image focused.

“In the run up to Saturday, there has been loads of people coming up to the window, having a look in and checking out the posters. We’ve had others coming up asking questions and the reception on Facebook has been really encouraging as well.

“People seem to be happy that there’s another dry cleaners in Halstead.”

A business selling kitchen supplies is expected to move into the other retail unit in the new year.

The public toilets that were formerly located inside the building closed in 2005 and never reopened despite the town council spending £2,000 a year on running costs.

Plans to bring the toilets back into service were regularly discussed after it had closed and in April 2015, the town council agreed to pay £105,233 in a bid to get them up and running.

However, a backlash from members of the public eventually saw councillors abandon those plans and in November 2016, a decision was made to put the block up for sale.

For more information about Gorgeous Dry Cleaning, contact 01787 275257.