Unsightly seafront toilets earmarked for closure are set to be saved – for now.

Canterbury City Council bosses had wanted to shut the Hampton Pleasure Ground loos in Swalecliffe Avenue, Herne Bay, in a bid to save more than £13,000.

But following a huge public backlash – which saw about 290 residents object to the plans – authority officials are urging the cabinet to vote to keep them open ahead of a meeting next week.

However, if senior councillors agree to save the facilities, officers will assess options for the building’s long-term future, including whether to refurbish, sell or completely redevelop the site.

Tory Neil Baker – who previously called for the block to demolished and replaced with a glass-fronted café – hopes this will pave the way for the plot to be transformed into “a destination”.

“The building’s run down – it needs work done to it,” the Tankerton councillor explained.

“I’d like some kind of destination put there, some sort of fairly decent café tied in with toilets there.

“I think it’s got a lot of potential. There’s more and more footfall there now, and that side of the town could do with something like that.”

In all, 324 people responded to a public consultation on the proposed closure of the Hampton toilets – which are closed over the autumn and winter months – earlier this year.

Almost 90% opposed the plans, with many parents saying the loos were essential for families visiting the nearby play area.

The closest alternative is a five-minute walk away in Hampton Pier car park.

One resident urged the authority to repair the block, while another said: “What a ridiculous idea.

“I often take my grandchildren to this play park, and when a child has to go there has to be a toilet close by – not five minutes away.

“Unless you want kids to pee in the park, I suggest you think otherwise.”

This week, the city council confirmed it had since identified “additional savings” that would allow the loos to remain open “pending the options appraisal of the whole site”.

Should the block be redeveloped, Cllr Baker believes a space should be retained for the town’s table tennis club, which has been based behind the facilities for the past 32 years.

“They need a home, and if they can be part of the new development, then all the better,” the councillor added.

“The play area there could do with a bit of upgrade work as well; it’s looking pretty tired.”

When the consultation into the building’s future opened, a petition called “Save Herne Bay Table Tennis Club” was launched.

It has received more than 900 signatures, with members fearing the decades-old society could be made homeless if the block gets flattened.

The authority’s most senior councillors will consider the recommendation put forward by officers to keep the toilets open on Tuesday.

If the u-turn is given the go-ahead, the decision will not be reviewed until the options appraisal is completed.

Cabinet member Cllr Andrew Cook said: “We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation.

“In particular, it was interesting to see people suggesting what else we could do with the building, given its position in such a prominent seafront location.

“Cabinet will be discussing the way forward and we’re sure there will be lots of public interest in what happens next.”