Council bosses say there a "no plans" to reopen toilets on Margate seafront amid a petition saying facilities are harming the town's reputation.

Visitors to the town's popular waterfront and beach are forced to queue outside the one small block still open.

The Clocktower facilities have been closed since April after Thanet District Council said it would cost too much to repair them following a series of leaks and damage to the roof.

But despite a petition being presented to councillors at last night's meeting and a question from business owner, Jodie Ellena, calling on the council to fix and reopen the loos, the council has refused to budge.

Cllr Ash Ashbee, deputy leader and cabinet member for operational services, said: "We presently have no plans to reopen the Clocktower toilets. It would not be considered constructive to spend several thousand pounds [fixing the toilets]. There are other toilets that visitors can use."

Cllr Ashbee added an agreed strategy for managing the district's toilets was in place which the Clocktower toilets were not included in.

The council's position and reluctance to reopen the Clocktower toilets sparked a protest earlier this year outside the council offices.

Earlier in the meeting, opposition councillor Rob Yates (Lab) slammed the authority's lack of temporary loos brought in to deal with demand when thousands of people head to the main sands in the summer.

Presenting a petition signed by 386 people requesting the council "immediately rescinds" the decision to shut the Clocktower toilets, the Margate Central ward councillor spoke out against the TDC's current policy.

Cllr Yates, who lives in the Arlington House tower block overlooking the TS Eliott toilet block on Margate beach, said he frequently saw long queues outside the facilities which is exacerbated for the ladies' loos.

He told the council: "A petition is raised as there's still issues and no temporary toilets put in place except for on Margate Meltdown day when the Wetherspoons was closed.

"The question is why are no temporary toilets put in when the TS Elliot block is busy.

"The rental cost is £29 per week plus cleaning costs."

Cllr Yates also called on the council to install locks on doors at the toilets on the Harbour Arm to improve the facilities there ahead of the upcoming Turner Prize celebrations and exhibition coming to Margate in September.

He quoted support for the petition from business owners and residents highlight the "negative effect" the closure of the toilets is having on the town's reputation for visitors.

The petition was received and will be put before cabinet members and brought back to the full council within three meetings.

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