Lambeth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Lambeth councillors are expected to approve a plan today to convert men’s loos into a florist. The project aims to repurpose the disused site for community use.
The South London restrooms that Charlie Chaplin is said to have used as a child are about to reopen as a florist. The comedian and director grew up adjacent to Kennington’s public restrooms, which were shut down in 1988.
Plans filed by Abasine Taus with the council would promote the new venture by installing flower bins and a floral fridge in the Victorian restrooms.
How will Lambeth’s historic Victorian restrooms be transformed?
Under the suggestions, wash basins would be eliminated but urinals would remain. According to council planning documents, the Victorian restrooms’ remaining portions would be “cleaned, refurbished, sealed, repainted, and where necessary, repaired.”
The plans would include the removal of a minor amount of 1980s graffiti that’relates to the LGBTQ community’. For historical purposes, the council has kept photographic copies of the writing.
In response to the Public Health/London Act of 1891, the local government constructed the restrooms on Kennington Lane in 1900. Local governments were required by this law to provide and maintain public restrooms.
The restrooms’ interior features marble modesty screens, ten urinal stalls with porcelain bases, and white tiled brick walls. It also has a multicolored mosaic floor and a wood-paneled attendant’s station.
What are the plans suggested for the approval of Lambeth Council?
In 2001, English Heritage listed the restrooms as Grade-II. Between 2013 and 2017, they were partially renovated and used as an art gallery.
Last year, the Bermondsey Arts Club team announced plans to turn the restrooms into an underground cocktail bar, modeled after their Tower Bridge Road location. However, the plan never materialized.
According to planning documents Mr. Taus submitted to the council regarding the restroom conversion, the plans are the “right fit for the space” and would result in the installation of modern amenities in the restrooms “carefully and sensitively.”
According to the documents, the plans will create a “stylish and attractive retail shop that is a benefit to the wider community.” The ideas have been suggested for approval and will be decided upon this evening by a Lambeth Council Planning Committee.