Another thought. Could the steps be Horse Mounting Steps? Old enough to pre-date the urinal and whatever else came later to be placed in the area.
There are images online, some of the same three steps and a larger top surface construction.

Another strong possibility, Mike, if there was a horse trough maybe it was removed when the loos were constructed.
Peg.
P.S. I wonder why such a grand clock was placed on the island and who paid for it? - I'm ashamed to confess I should know - Aston Cross was where I changed buses (64 to Inner Circle Eight) on my daily commute for 5 years from The Lyndhurst Estate, Erdington to Harry Lucas, my senior school in Hockley.

In William Dargue`s History of Birmingham, he notes that originally on this spot was a preaching cross. Were the steps in front of it for Preacher`s to stand on?
The cross was replaced by an ornate clock, which after it decayed the clock in the photo was erected.

That sounds like a strong possibility, Mike. I did wonder if the steps formed a permanent display for a street vendor, e.g. a flower seller, and if they might pre-date the construction of the loos on what might have been a small market area - all wild speculation, of course.
Peg.

I think it was Mrs kite who had a parrot who swore she sold milk/ bread/ cigs and sweets and served us dressed in her nighty!
You could look into her living room, were she would sit, from the shop and I still remember her grumpy face like yesterday - funny!

Hi my gran lived on cox st west too and I remember waiting outside that off license for a grown up to pass who I could trap into purchasing alcohol for me, actually my gran .. I was too young to buy!
Also the bicycle track I remember!

Is this the start of the stairway to Heaven.