SPENDING A PENNY: AN EXPLORATION OF ENGLAND’S PUBLIC TOILETS

In 1851 the Great Exhibition took place in Hyde Park, London. The refreshment rooms featured public conveniences for which a small charge was made. By the time the exhibition closed over 800,000 visitors had paid more than £2,000 for use of the facilities. And so was born the concept of ‘spending a penny to use the loo.

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The toilets (aka ‘Retiring Rooms’) were located at the three ‘Refreshment Rooms’. The Refreshment Rooms were basically snack bars where it was intended (according to the Commission’s tender for the food and drinks contract) you might buy the following: Area No.1 (in the centre of the building): For Ices, Pastry, Sandwiches, Patties, Fruit, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Cocoa, Lemonade, Seltzer and Soda Water

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Area no.2 & 3 For Bread, Butter and Cheese, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Cocoa, Ginger Beer, Spruce Beer, and similar drinks. The idea was that there would be no cooking (not least for danger of fire); no alcohol (for danger of rowdiness); and no seats (to keep people circulating within the building). Sean Byrne post.