Westminster unveils £12.7m plan to tackle long-term neglect of West End toilets

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

Westminster City council is investing £12.7 million to refurbish eight public toilets, with a focus on plush new designs.

The announcement comes amid a new report published by the Soho Neighbourhood Forum which found the district has lost 70 per cent of its cubicles and urinals in 15 years.

The report further found that 77 per cent of businesses and 64 per cent of visitors have seen people urinating in the streets.

Lucy Haine, chair of the Soho Neighbourhood Forum, said the shortage effectively tells people ‘they shouldn’t visit for fear of not being able to find a loo in time – and impacting businesses and jobs that rely on Soho’s reputation’.

Westminster City council said its funding will create a series of inclusive toilets with high-quality designs which will encourage pride in the facilities. It has invested more than £6.5m this year to upgrade loos in the West End, with £6.2m proposed for the next financial year.

The toilets due to be refurbished in 2024/25 are at Victoria Embankment, Parliament Street, Piccadilly Circus and Green Park. The following year will see works carried out in Carnaby Street, Westminster Pier, Covent Garden and Leicester Square.

The council added it has also invested £285,000 this year to upgrade its neighbourhood public toilets, and £1.8m to replace and upgrade urinals and Automatic Public Conveniences (APCs).

A spokesman said works to improve inclusivity at its public toilets include putting a new larger, accessible toilet into Victoria Embankment.

Artist James Lambert has been commissioned to draw up designs for each site. The first toilets to open will be those at Victoria Embankment.

Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, cabinet member for city management and air quality, said: “Public art has the power to uplift and inspire, turning everyday places into unique experiences. We’re delighted to have chosen James Lambert to not only beautify our public spaces but also to create a visual story that resonates with everyone who visits and lives in our city.”

John McGeachy, campaigns manager for Age UK London, which has campaigned for better public toilet provision for the past two years, said: “It is very good news to see that Westminster council are investing in public toilets and that the designs are of a good standard.

“Whilst improving the availability of toilets is crucial, it is also important that where there are toilets, that they are places that are welcoming, where people feel comfortable.

“London is in serious need of better public toilet provision to improve the quality of life for the capital’s residents, workers, and visitors.”

Mr McGeachy is also the coordinator of the newly-launched London Loo Alliance, a group of 14 organisations calling for urgent attention to the capital’s lack of toilets. He said the coalition ‘will be working very hard to ensure that not finding a toilet in London, especially one that is clean and maintained, becomes a thing of the past’.

The Soho Neighbourhood Forum’s report, entitled ‘Caught Short’, stated there are only three remaining permanent public toilets in the iconic nightlife and retail district. These include those on the corner of Carnaby and Great Marlborough Streets, which are only open during the day and are underground.

Alongside a sharp reduction in cubicles and urinals since 2009 has been a 34 per cent increase in alcohol licences over the same period. It also reported that 80 per cent of businesses say the lack of toilets damages Soho’s reputation, and that they face an annual £300,000 cost due to the need for additional cleaning.

The forum suggested better toilet provision could result in £4.9m extra revenue a year for Soho businesses and that replacing temporary facilities with new ones could save the council £92,000 per annum.

Ms Haine said: “Better facilities, spaced throughout the district and clearly signposted, will deliver a better experience for visitors to Soho, encouraging more people to come here and spend their time and money, something we have to fight for.”

The council has 15 public toilets across Westminster, two of which are currently closed for refurbishment.

Pictured top: Design for refurbished toilets in Westminster (Picture: Hugh Broughton)