The manager of New England Properties, the company that owns the Henry Parkes Plaza, said he was puzzled with criticism aimed at the company for locking toilets in the shopping centre and that there would be many more complaints if the toilets were unlocked.

Michael Robinson said facilities at the plaza were locked after they were continually damaged and vandalised in what he described as a ‘disgusting’ manner.

“I made the decision to lock the toilets because they were getting trashed regularly with things being broken, drains blocked and faeces being smeared on the doors and doorhandles,” Mr Robinson said.

“I thought that the customers deserved clean, functional and hygienic facilities, so we decided to lock the toilets. We also have a responsibility to the cleaner, who does not deserve to put up with that.”

New England Properties was required to construct toilet facilities at the Henry Parkes Plaza when they built the complex. Mr Robinson said they were not public toilets, but were built for the customers of Target, Bi-Lo and Crazy Clarks, and these facilities were still available for customers.

Rebecca Ford is currently toilet training her two and a half year old daughter Malika Reeves and said that sometimes the pair did not have the time needed to collect a key and gain access to the toilets.

Ms Ford said that finding a key could be difficult if Malika suddenly needed to use the toilet because when a toilet training toddler needs to go, they need to go right away.

“They usually can’t hold it when they need to,” Ms Ford said.

“I haven’t been in the situation at the plaza yet, but if she did need to go it would be an inconvenience,” she said.

“But this wouldn’t just be a problem for toddlers either, it would affect pregnant women and the elderly as well as young children.”