Old Kennington toilets, once used by Charlie Chaplin, may become a flower shop. Lambeth councillors will vote on the plan to refurbish the Victorian-era loos.
Lambeth councillors will decide this Tuesday. They’ll vote on the flower shop plan. The plans show a flower fridge and bins. These would go inside the Victorian-era toilets. They want to keep the urinals, though. They will remove the wash basins.
Workers plan to clean everything well. Refurbishing, sealing, and repainting are also happening. Repair work will occur where it’s needed. Some 1980s graffiti will disappear too. It relates to the LGBTQ community. The council took photos of the writing. This way, they will keep a record of it.
The local government built the toilets in 1900. They had to, because of a law from 1891. That law said they must provide public toilets. Inside, the walls have white tiles. There are ten urinal stalls too. These stalls have porcelain bases. Plus, they feature marble modesty screens.
There’s also a wooden kiosk for the attendant. The floor is mosaic with colors. English Heritage gave the toilets a Grade-II listing in 2001. Between 2013 and 2017, it was briefly an art gallery. Some people wanted to make it a cocktail bar last year. Those plans did not work out, though.
Someone, Mr. Abasine Taus, thinks it’s a good plan. He says it fits the space well. He also says it will add modern things. Workers would install these carefully. The shop can then benefit the local area. The new shop will be stylish and attractive. Planning people suggested approval already.
A committee decides officially really soon. That old toilet may soon bloom with flowers. Isn’t that a cool, random thing?
