The toilets and the street have been “in a state of almost abandonment for some time”.
Vacant underground public toilets could be turned into a wine bar, according to plans by Tower Hamlets Council. The council is currently seeking planning approval to convert the Victorian facilities at Leyden Street, in Spitalfields. Proposals say that a new wine bar would “attract business to an economically struggling locality of the borough” and “contribute to the rich mixture of cultural diversity and creativity”.
Details submitted to the council’s planning department say the toilets and the street have been “in a state of almost abandonment for some time”. They say the vacant building has been “marred” with anti-social behaviour, including “fly-tipping, rough sleeping an general issues regarding safety at night”.
A planning statement also says Leyden Street had been “filled with illegally placed market stalls”. The council, which owns the building, already got planning permission to build a cafe at ground level around the toilets’ entrance in 2022.
It now also wants planning permission to change the use of the basement into a bar. Its planning statement says this would protect the building’s heritage features and prevent it “falling into dilapidation”.
A “mood board” submitted with the application suggests it would have a “speakeasy cocktail bar” atmosphere. The planning statement says it would serve mostly wine with bar snacks, including cheese.
Although the council owns the building, it still needs to apply for and secure planning permission from its own planning department. Plans can be viewed and commented on at the council’s planning portal using the reference PA/25/01676/NC.
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