Historic Portobello loos returned to former glory

16 September 2011

Visitors to the world-famous Portobello Market are now only steps away from two newly restored Edwardian public lavatories, thanks to the Council.

Located in Bevington Road and Talbot Road, the toilets have been sympathetically restored keeping as many original features as possible. The original urinals at Talbot Road have been preserved and characteristic Edwardian-style floor tiles adorn the floors of both toilets.

First opened around 1914, the Bevington Road public lavatories, serving Golborne Road Market, are thought to be the oldest in the Royal Borough. Along with the Talbot Road facilities, which opened a short while later, they are typical of the Edwardian period.

The Talbot Road lavatories were closed during the 1990s but local traders have campaigned for them to be reopened.

Deputy Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Nick Paget-Brown, said: "Close to 60,000 people visit the market each Saturday so these new facilities will be in much demand. I know that local traders and residents will be pleased with the high quality of work that has restored age-old lavatories to their former glory."

The Talbot Road lavatory will be open Fridays and Saturdays 8am to 6pm, and the Bevington Road lavatory will be open Monday to Thursday 9am to 6pm and Friday and Saturday 8am to 6pm.

Watch a video of the official opening