Public toilets could once again be available in a city centre park which has been without them for more than three years.
The toilets in the £1 million cafe in the centre of The Level were closed in 2022 after persistent vandalism and drug overdoses
Two years ago, Brighton and Hove City Council announced it would be converting the neighbouring MacLaren Pavilion into a cafe kiosk with toilets,
It would then lease it at a reduced rate with the understanding the tenant would maintain the toilets. It’s hoped that their position, in better view of the cafe operator, customers and people using the playground, will make them less prone to vandalism.
This week, the council said the lease has now been signed, and the new tenant is hoping to open in the new year.
Meanwhile, the youth sports charity which is hoping to take on the main cafe building – also known as the Velo Cafe after its first tenant – is expected to submit a planning application to support its bid for a grant to make necessary repairs.
An advert for its lease in 2024 said the building needed £360,000 worth of repairs. Much of the work is needed because of water damage which investigations eventually found was caused by damage to Victorian drainage systems made when the skatepark was installed.
The main building’s toilets are likely to be ripped out and the space used for something else such as storage.
Councillor Alan Robins, cabinet member for sports and recreation, said: “We’re pleased to confirm a lease has been signed for the refurbished Maclaren Pavilion, which includes responsibility for managing the public toilets.
“We understand the new owner is planning a soft launch before fully opening in the new year. This is brilliant news and means not only will visitors to The Level be able to enjoy the new café, but they will also benefit from the much-needed toilets.
“We’re also expecting a planning application for the Velo Café building to be submitted shortly which will then lead to grant applications being made for a new project which a charity would like to deliver on the site.”
Its not a cafe its a kiosk , that you cant sit inside so during the winter or when the weather is the toilets will be closed ?
Well at least something is finally happening to two empty spaces, and we can only hope the increased presence in those properties prevents further vandalism and nearby drug dealing.
If some toilets reopen that would be a bonus.
It’s actually a lovely family area that deserves to be rescued, especially for day time park and playground users.
The Velo Cafe was built with good intentions, but their business plan was more green pie in the sky than practical. On my first visit, I remember that their artisan bread toasted sandwich was neither cheap nor edible.
The buildings’ green roof was born out of the same woolly thinking, causing problems from the start. The most popular part of the building was the separate loo cubicle, outside the cafe, which seemed purpose built for those needing to stick a needle in their vein.
None of these issues is actually what the Level is all about, and we need to reclaim it as a community outdoor space. The new cafe/kiosk will do well if they sell stuff that kids want to eat, and those kids include toddlers in the play area and the many teens who use the nearby skatepark.
About time
Maybe make it a “venue” rather than ruining Valley Gardens every 6 months?