Ann Pembroke, director of the Clerkenwell Green Preservation Society

THE director of a conservation committee was left “on the point of collapse” after the unexpected removal of Clerkenwell Green’s historic public lavatories.
Ann Pembroke, the director of the Clerkenwell Green Preservation Society, told the Tribune she was almost in tears when she discovered the Victorian era toilets were being taken away.

She said a passer-by had to check she was OK as she watched an excavator clawing away at the loos.

“I’m so upset,” Ms Pembroke said. “It’s awful – the size of the machine will cause a lot of damage.”

Speaking on behalf of the society, she described the group’s passion for preserving the landmark.

“We would do all we could, including putting money forward to ensure the lavatories are brought into usable condition,” she said.

A planning notice attached to the perimeter of the site confirmed the hole where the toilets once stood will soon be filled. It will be replaced by a green area complete with flower beds.

The hole where the Victorian toilets used to be

Ms Pembroke said: “This site is the birthplace of freedom of speech. Protesters have come for hundreds of years, it’s the origin of political debate. The last thing you want is flowers around your ankles when you are making a political statement.”

Installed by George Jennings, Prince Albert’s sanitary engineer, the toilets are now part of an area designated as a conservation site by Islington Council. This means special protection under the law.

Because of this, Ms Pembroke said she was confused as to why the preservation society was not consulted.

“I want them to keep the hole until we can put lavatories in there,” she said. “But not new ones, I don’t like new lavatories, old Victorian lavatories would be best.”

Originally intended for communal use, the toilets eventually fell into disrepair and until recently were surrounded by black wooden hoardings.

The lavatories in Clerkenwell Green were boarded up

The structure became the subject of an annual April Fool joke between 2021 and 2025, culminating in a spray-painting which national newspapers mistakenly flagged as a “suspected Banksy.”

The man behind those stunts “Shanksy” – a play on Banksy and toilet makers Armitage Shanks – revealed his true identity last year.

Chris Walker, a professor at Westminster University, said he had intended to draw attention to the derelict site, in order to get a response from the council.

This week, Mr Walker said: “I was a little surprised there was no public involvement, but to be honest I think this would have opened up a can of worms and slowed things down for another six years. The proposed solution seems very pragmatic. A simple and attractive plant bed.”

Cabinet councillor James Potts said: “We have carefully considered the future of the Clerkenwell Green site over the last few years. Due to the condition of the former underground public toilets, the structure above it has been found to be unsafe.

“Works are under way to remove any risk, improve safety, enhance the appearance of Clerkenwell Green and support its long-term future. Initial feedback so far from residents has been positive to the removal of the hoardings as we bring this space to life. We are filling in the void and creating new landscaping that fits in with the other recent improvements.

“The area will include a planted flower bed, new surfacing, and benches and bins, to make it a pleasant space for everyone to enjoy.”