London's history with public toilets is as old as the city itself, with the first public flush toilets appearing at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Plumber George Jennings installed flushing toilets called 'monkey closets', which became a huge success, generating a penny-a-go revenue that amounted to about £1,000 a year. However, despite this early innovation, the provision of public toilets has declined over the years, with many falling into ruin or being converted into coffee shops and art galleries.
The fight for public toilets has always been particularly important for women. In the 19th century, while men could use discreet alleyways, women had limited options. The Ladies Sanitary Association campaigned from the 1850s for 'water closet accommodation for women', highlighting the 'grievous suffering' caused by the lack of facilities. Medical officers also backed the cause, asserting that women had the same physical necessities as men.
Despite opposition from those who feared property devaluation or traffic hazards, the first public ladies' convenience in London was finally opened in Park Street, Camden, in December 1905, thanks to the efforts of playwright George Bernard Shaw. However, inequality persisted, with women often having to pay to use toilets, unlike men using communal urinals.
Today, the decline of public toilets is a pressing issue for high streets across the UK. Campaigners argue that restoring these facilities could help revive town centres by encouraging people to spend more time shopping and socialising. As London's history shows, public toilets are not just a convenience but a necessity for a functioning society.
