Islington Council has come under fire after revealing that the cheapest quote for a small self-cleaning public toilet in Paradise Park is approximately £192,000, a figure described by councillors as a 'horror story' of contract failures.
Councillor raises concerns over procurement
At a scrutiny committee meeting on June 18, Labour Councillor Nurullah Turan expressed concern that the council was 'locking itself into contracts' with a limited number of firms, preventing it from using local suppliers. He noted that one local supplier had quoted '25% or less' for the lavatory.
Councils often use procurement frameworks with pre-approved suppliers to save time and costs, but these agreements can restrict the use of external providers, sometimes leading to inflated prices.
Council defends process
An Islington Council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the £192,000 figure likely represents the full project cost, including installation and utilities, which can vary based on site conditions. The council is exploring 'a range of delivery options' for the toilet.
Cllr Nick Wayne (Labour), committee chair, said many councillors had 'horror stories' of discovering the high cost of basic equipment and suggested a 'deep dive' into certain procurements.
Previous toilet investments
In August 2025, Islington Council spent £1 million installing six new automated public toilets and an accessible restroom across the borough, following pressure from the campaign group Loos for Islington. However, the group, backed by Age UK, had earlier criticised 'redundant' automated toilets, claiming they were prone to failure and attracted antisocial behaviour.
Cllr Ruth Hayes, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, stated: 'As with all council spending, we are committed to securing best value for money and following robust procurement processes at all times, and proposals are currently being explored in relation to public toilet provision in Paradise Park.'
No decision made yet
Hayes added that no decisions have been made and no funding committed, but the council is exploring options including a new standalone automated public convenience (APC) to support year-round access. Islington claims to be the only London borough offering free, 24/7 APCs.
