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Circumspice 7: answer to mini-quiz item in Summer edition of OurTown

Posted on July 26, 2022
7 Clarence Parade

Things We Have Lost No. 94 …
Underground Public Conveniences.
Until 1994 this gateway at 7 Clarence Parade led to an underground lady’s public convenience. It is fondly remembered because of its central location and for cleanliness and good service. There was an attendant who supplied soap, towels and paper and, importantly, change for the shiny brass ‘penny in the slot’ door locks. A sensible woman would, of course, always have a penny in a dedicated compartment in her purse. There was a gent’s convenience at the rear of the building which was accessed from Post Office Lane.

The gent's entrance from Post Office Lane

The town had other underground conveniences. One was at the bottom of Leckhampton Road by The Norwood roundabout.

Bruce Stait's photo of the last days of the Norwood gent's
An earlier view

There were also underground loos which were accessed from a roundabout at ‘Dicks Corner’ by the Bowling Green in The High Street. These were known as The Pepper Pots – probably because of their upstanding ventilators. When the junction of Ambrose Street and The High Street was remodelled in the 1950s, new conveniences were built on the widened pavement. They are now closed but offered for sale. A West End branch office for CCS?

The junction during remodelling work
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