Minehead’s popular seafront arcade, The Arkade, has won planning approval for expansion for the second time, correcting a previous administrative oversight.
Located on Warren Road near Minehead’s heritage railway station, The Arkade is renowned for hosting the UK’s largest collection of pay-to-play classic pinball machines, according to Visit Exmoor. The arcade is owned and operated by Marcus Kravis, a Liberal Democrat councillor representing the nearby Dunster division alongside his partner, Cara Strom.
In March 2025, Mr. Kravis submitted plans to demolish the adjacent disused public toilets—once deemed the second most disliked building in Minehead—to expand the arcade. Although Somerset Council officers initially approved the plans in December 2025, their decision breached council rules that require such applications submitted by serving councillors to be approved in a public committee for transparency.
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The council’s Planning Committee West has now formally endorsed the proposals, averting any potential legal challenges. The toilets, closed by the former West Somerset Council in 2017, had briefly reopened under licence between 2018 and 2020 before closing again.
Under the approved plans, the former ladies' toilets will be demolished to create additional arcade floor space, while the adjoining gents’ toilets will be repurposed for storage. Mr. Kravis highlighted that the arcade building, constructed in 1979 with a steel frame, resembles an industrial block rather than a beachfront asset, and emphasized his ongoing efforts to enhance the site.
He also mentioned potential future renovations to reopen the former disabled toilets internally connected to the arcade, offering improved facilities if funding becomes available.
Local Councillor Andrew Hadley expressed regret that the public toilets would not be restored, noting frequent public demand for such amenities, especially during the busy summer season. However, he acknowledged that the closed facilities were no longer safe or functional.
Conservative Councillor Steven Pugsley supported the approval, indicating there were no grounds to withhold planning permission and commended the council for properly addressing the application at committee.
After a brief discussion, the planning committee unanimously approved the expansion, marking a fresh chapter in The Arkade’s development.