The LDRS found a variety of conditions in the borough’s conveniences

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WESTMINSTER City Council has been slammed for “wasting” £835 on Loo of the Year entries at a time when public toilet provision is lacking.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance, a pressure group campaigning for lower taxes, criticised the “frivolous spending” after it was revealed the local authority entered five facilities into this year’s competition.

The TPA’s Joanna Marchong said: “With Westminster Council imposing inflation-busting council tax hikes in the latest financial year, it is unacceptable they are flushing money down the drain. Town hall bosses should keep a much closer eye on the council credit card.”

It comes after a Soho Neighbourhood Forum report found Soho had seen a 70 per cent reduction in public toilet cubicles and urinals in the past 15 years. The Caught Short report found 77 per cent of businesses and 64 per cent of visitors had witnessed people urinating in Soho’s streets. It noted 27 per cent of visitors avoided the West End because of the lack of public toilets.

The council said entry into the awards provides “invaluable” feedback on how to improve services for residents and millions of people who visit Westminster every day.

The council also said it was proud of the high quality pubic toilets it provides.

It recently invested £12.7million into refurbishing West End public toilets, an extra £1.8million to upgrade urinals and automatic public conveniences across the borough, and £285k on refreshing neighbourhood toilets. The authority also pointed out the council tax remains the second lowest in the country.

Loos looking for an award

The Local Democracy Reporting Service visited each of the five facilities entered into this year’s awards, writes Adrian Zorzut (pictured).

Broadwick Street

This automatic public convenience is located above underground toilets which closed in 2022 after they became a popular “cottaging” spot. The single cubicle is fully automatic and costs 50p to use but lacked running water and soap when LDRS visited in the early morning last week.

Paddington Street

This facility near Baker Street station repotedly won the Loo of the Year in 1995. Located in a dark brick block on the north east corner of Paddington Street South Gardens, these are well known for their artwork. A large mural of a London street is visible from the gents’ entry and another is located above the urinals. The toilets were clean when we visited, although there is a lack of signage.

Queensway

These underground loos are located at the top of Queensway. The facilities appear to lack disability access as customers will need to wander down a steep flight of stairs to use them. There is also a random weighing scales in the men’s toilet which requires payment to use.

Wellington Place

These loos are located right next to Lord’s Cricket Ground and, like Paddington Street, they too have murals inside. Right beside the urinals is a painting of a group of cricketers, who all appear to be staring you down as you try to do your business. These toilets were clean, modern and didn’t smell. It was spacious in the block as well.

Queen Mother Sports Centre

Unfortunately, the Changing Place facility at Queen Mother Sports Centre is only available to paying customers. This facility consists of a large, accessible toilet designed for people with disabilities and carers. According to the city council this facility received a “platinum plus” rating,the second highest grade.

• The other entries received a “platinum” rating while the mobile loos the council entered received no rating because there was no comparable entry.