Building record 1160/499 - Public lavatories, Abington Square

An early 20th century public lavatory disused since the early 21st century and due for demolition

{1} In 1924, Northampton Borough's Public Health Committee expressed their desire for a new Ladies Public Convenience to be constructed in Abington Square. In 1926 the Council obtained vacant possession of an end of terrace house (30 Wellingborough Road), although it was not until 1929 that a scheme that provided for both sexes was approved. The initial design was for 6 WCs and wash basins for women and 4 WCs and wash basins as well as 5 urinals for men.

The block was built adjoining 'The Volunteer' public house and the entrance to each convenience was on St Edmund's Terrace. The building is a single-storey oblong block of red brick with a flat roof. The facade fronting Abington Square has a frieze composed of rectangular moulded terracotta tiles with chip carved, mannered Art Deco lettering ('PUBLIC LAVATORIES') in gold paint. The southwest facade has three doorways, above two, which are flanked by pilasters, a terracotta frieze reads 'GENTLEMEN' and 'LADIES'. The third door, located towards the south-west end has a plain surround and may have been an entrance to a store. At the time of the survey, the entire internal floor space was obscured by building rubble, debris and excavated soils. A number of later 20th century walls had been demolished, as had cubicles and other furnishings.

The lavatories were in use for the remainder of the 20th century, undergoing complete refurbishment and re-modelling, including the creation of an Accessible Toilet for wheelchair users. They were disused in the period 2002-2007. The property was sold by the Borough Council in 2013.

<1> Wilson, M., 2017, Early 20th century public lavatories at Wellingborough Road, Abington Square, Northampton: Historic building record, 2017 (Report). SNN110656.

<2> Crank, N. (Editor), 2018, South Midlands Archaeology (48), p. 74 (Journal). SNN111393.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 7:18PM