A petition is calling for the council to reopen public toilets near the Royal Pavilion.

The campaign, which has attracted more than 500 signatures, demands that Brighton and Hove City Council reverse its closure of the Prince’s Place public toilets over the winter months and maintain them “to a reasonable standard”.

Caz Calvert, who started the petition, said the Pavilion Gardens is an important resource and tourist attraction and that older and less mobile residents will not be able to visit the garden if there are no toilet facilities.

She said: “I live locally and have been a regular user of the Pavilion Gardens for over 40 years. I rely on a mobility scooter.

“Without suitable toilet facilities, I am no longer able to visit the gardens, which are a very special place for me.”

The toilets were among 17 to be closed until April next year by the council, citing a lack of staff and rising costs.

However, the closures have been criticised by Conservative councillor Robert Nemeth as “unacceptable”.

The Argus: A sign from the council says the toilets near the Royal Pavilion have been 'temporarily closed due to maintenance issues'A sign from the council says the toilets near the Royal Pavilion have been 'temporarily closed due to maintenance issues' (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Public toilets are one of the most basic services for a local council to provide and there needs to be a proper explanation as to why the council is closing so many.

“These new closures have not been properly explained by the council and there has not been any compensatory facilities put in place.

“Other councils are managing their budgets better and keeping their public toilets open and in good condition all year round despite the circumstances.”

Hedley Swain, chief executive of Brighton and Hove Museums, the trust responsible for the Royal Pavilion, said that while it was “a shame” that the council had been forced to close the toilets, they “understand the budget constraints they are under”.

He said: “The decision to close the toilets by the Pavilion Gardens has been taken by Brighton and Hove City Council. Visitors to the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museum and Art Gallery will be able to use the toilets in our venues.

“Brighton and Hove residents can enter the museum for free with proof of residency. In addition, the Jubilee Library is open to the public.

“We recognise that these toilets have been problematic for the council and are often the location of antisocial behaviour.

“We think it is a shame the council has been forced to close them but understand the budget constraints they are under. We hope a good long-term solution can be found.”

A council spokesman said more than £100 million in cuts from central government had made it “more difficult to maintain services at the level residents would like to see.”

He said: “Every winter we close a number of public toilets in the city. However, we are having to close more this winter due to rapidly rising costs and staffing pressures.

“We have put notices on all the toilets currently closed with directions to the nearest alternative facilities.

"People affected by the closure of the toilets at Prince's Place may wish to consider using the ones at the Jubilee Library, which is just on the other side of the Royal Pavilion Gardens.

“We are prioritising keeping our busiest public toilets open and we are very sorry for the inconvenience.”