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When you find yourself suddenly desperate for a wee in the middle of London (especially if you’re at a tube station), you’re normally low on options. You could wait it out (not advised), find a busy pub to sneak into or slip into the swanky toilets of a nearby department store. Sometimes, just sometimes, there’ll be an actual public toilet you can use, but they’re often old and kind of grim.
But now, brand spanking new public lavs are coming to a north London borough. Seven 24-hour free loos are opening across Islington over the next few weeks.
The new automated public toilets have already opened in Newington Green, City Road and Highbury Fields and will open on Holloway Road, Seven Sisters Road and Highbury Crescent on September 1. Each WC is self cleaning, with the toilet bowl, seat, floor and walls automatically disinfected after every use. At night, they’ll be blitz with ozone-based night cleaning to keep them fresh. Like any good public toilet, there’ll also be plenty of bins of general and menstrual waste.
A changing facility is also planned for Islington Green. Work on that is expected to start September 8 and it’ll hopefully open to the public by October 6.
The new loos have come about after ongoing conversations between Islington Council and local groups like Disability Action Islington, Islington Pensioners’ Forum, and Campaign for Loos, which is supported by Age UK. They’ve long been campaigning for better public toilet access, particularly for those who suffer with incontinence.
Sheila Chapman, the council’s executive member for equalities, communities and inclusion, said: ‘Whether you’re an older resident, a parent with young children, or someone with a disability, having access to clean, safe, and free facilities makes a huge difference.
‘These new toilets are a win for dignity and equality in Islington – they help everyone enjoy our parks, cafés, and town centres, at all hours of the day, without stress or barriers. As a parent of three, I know how vital this is – and I’m very proud we’re delivering it.’
Elodie Pinn, campaign support officer for Age UK, said: ‘Currently, too many older Londoners avoid leaving their home as much as they would like as they are not confident that they will be able to access a toilet if they need to. The same concern can mean that many older people drink less than they should, leading to dehydration and a higher risk of ill health.
‘AgeUK London welcomes new public toilet provision. Boroughs that increase their public toilet provision are taking positive steps towards reducing social isolation for its older residents and becoming a more welcoming borough.’
When you’re out and about in Islington you can find out where your nearest public loo is here.
TfL is spending £15 million on building more free public toilets – here’s where to find them.
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