Celebrating the reopening of Victoria Road Recreation Ground toilets
Public toilets at Victoria Road Recreation Ground are now open and available for residents and visitors to use 7 days a week.
To celebrate, the Friends of Victoria Park are hosting a community‑led re-opening celebration on Monday 4 May from noon. Everyone is welcome to come along and join a workshop, take part in games or listen to the choir. Bring a picnic and join the fun!
The council has brought this much-needed local facility back into use with the refurb of the male, female and accessible toilets to improve ventilation, plumbing and drainage, improve the fire alarm system and lighting, as well as giving it a fresh new look.
The refurbished facilities are open to the public 10am to 6pm this summer.
Essential facilities for residents and visitors
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said: “Having open and well‑maintained public toilets that are free to use is essential for encouraging residents and visitors to get outside, stay active and enjoy greater independence.
“The investment we’ve put into improving the condition and accessibility of our public toilets is vital to helping make sure parks are welcoming and a place people can, and want to, spend time.
“By increasing staffing capacity, we’re also making sure our essential facilities are well looked after for residents and visitors now and into the future.”
Summer opening hours
Seasonal summer opening hours are now in place across all sites, helping residents and visitors spend longer in parks, on the seafront and in neighbourhood centres with confidence that facilities are available when they need them.
During summer hours Shelter Hall, West Pier Arches, Daltons and Kings Road play park will open between 9am and 8pm. All other sites will be open between 10am and 6pm.
Sustained investment in improving facilities
The reopening of the Victoria Road Recreation Ground toilets is part of a wider programme of investment in public toilets across Brighton & Hove.
Since May 2023, the council has reopened 13 toilet sites, refurbished 10, and extended opening hours so that some facilities that previously closed during winter are now open all year round.
Improvements have focused on creating cleaner, safer and more accessible facilities, including better lighting, family-friendly layouts and improved access for disabled people.
Recent improvements include the reopening of the toilets at Black Rock, a new toilet block at Hove Beach Park, along with refurbished facilities at Goldstone Villas, Hove Lagoon, King’s Esplanade, Daltons, Station Road, Park Road, The Level, Saltdean and Ovingdean Undercliff.
New accessible, Changing Places facilities have also been opened in St Ann’s Well Gardens, Preston Park and at One Garden in Stanmer Park.
To help ensure toilets continue to be well looked after, the council has increased staffing capacity within the public toilets team and is working with community partners in some areas. The council is also using anti-vandalism measures at toilets to reduce damage and related costs from anti-social behaviour.
Together, these changes reflect the council’s commitment to maintaining high-quality public amenities and supporting a welcoming, inclusive city for residents, workers and visitors alike.
Other toilets refurbished across the city
April 2026: Victoria Road Recreation Ground toilets reopen after refurbishment, completing phase 2 of the toilet refurbishment programme.
October 2025: Toilets at Black Rock Station reopen following refurbishment of the ticket office and the pumping station below by Southern Water.
May 2025: Ovingdean Undercliff toilets reopen after major refurbishment
March 2025: The facilities in Goldstone Villas in Hove reopen following major refurbishment to make them more accessible and family friendly.
March 2025: The new public toilets at the Outdoor Sports Hub in Hove Beach Park open, featuring accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, a family room and ambulant cubicles.
November 2024: Refurbishment of the toilets at Ovingdean Undercliff begins.
October 2024: New Changing Places toilets in Preston Park open.
September 2024: New Changing Places in St Ann’s Well Gardens reopen with height-adjustable benches, ceiling track hoists, height-adjustable sinks and extra space for carers.
July 2024: Hove Lagoon toilets reopen following refurbishment.
June 2024: The MacLaren Pavilion at the Level redeveloped into a split-use café and public toilet.
April 2024: Royal Pavilion Garden facilities reopened and new Changing Places toilet opened at the One Garden in Stanmer Park.
March 2024: Black Rock, Greenleas and Hollingbury Park toilets are opened all year round as part of changes to the service.
July 2023: 7 more public toilets are opened at Blakers Park, Greenleas, Easthill Park, Hove Cemetery South, Queen’s Park, Stanmer Village and Vale Park.
June 2023: Refurbished toilets at Kings Esplanade, Daltons, Station Road and Saltdean Undercliff are opened for summer 2023 as part of Phase 1 of the programme.