A Newquay public toilet that closed due to repeated vandalism has re-opened in time for the summer season following a refurbishment.

The Narrowcliff public conveniences include male and female units, which are available with contactless payment only.

The accessible unit is equipped with both contactless and coin-operated payment.

The toilets have been closed for a lengthy amount of time after they were repeatedly damaged and became “a haven for drug users”.

Some residents have criticised the town council charging people to use the facilities following the local council tax increasing. They also believe it is only a matter of time before the contactless card readers are vandalised.

Logan Booth said: “The Newquay council tax rate has gone up and then the council has the audacity to charge us to use a facility that until recently was free?

“The card machine is inevitably going to be vandalised.”

Alishea Buck added: “So we pay one of the highest council taxes in the country and now the town council is charging 50p for a basic human function and to make it worse they are doing card only.

“What about children playing in the park. Do they now need to leave the house with mum’s debit card. It really is time we all stop paying council tax.”

A resident said: “Speaking as someone who uses an accessible toilet, I think we will see everyone going to use the accessible toilet. It doesn't sound very smart to do coins on those but not the general toilets.”

A resident said: “We need more public toilets open, and they shouldn't be charged. This town is a mess. Charging for using the loos encourages anti-social behaviour.

“I think the steep car park prices are enough to fund all the loos.”

Councillor Steve Slade, the chairman of Newquay Town Council’s environment and facilities committee, which oversees the public toilets, stated that charging people to use the facilities helps to reduce the amount local people pay in tax.

The council argued introducing card readers in the male and female public toilets will prevent coin boxes being damaged to steal the money inside.

Cllr Slade said: “It’s great news that the Narrowcliff toilets are open again after suffering vandalism and drug use.

“The contactless payment system will stop cash being stolen and should generate more revenue from tourists reducing the burden on local taxpayers.

“The town’s toilets are costing over £1,000 a day and that includes the money collected from charging.

“With a reduced charge or no charge, the local taxpayers would be subsidising toilets for the town’s visitors. We are trying to reduce the burden on the taxpayer, not increase it.”