Tower Hamlets Council has submitted plans to transform vacant underground public toilets in East London into a wine bar. The Victorian facilities, located on Leyden Street in Spitalfields, have been closed for some time and are currently in a state of disrepair.
Proposed Wine Bar to Revitalize Area
According to the council's planning application, the 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." The proposal aims to address issues such as fly-tipping, rough sleeping, and safety concerns that have plagued the site.
History of the Site
The toilets and the surrounding street have been "in a state of almost abandonment for some time," according to documents submitted to the council's planning department. The building has also been affected by illegally placed market stalls on Leyden Street. The council previously obtained planning permission in 2022 to build a ground-level cafe near the toilets' entrance.
Heritage and Atmosphere
The new application seeks to change the basement's use to a bar, preserving the building's heritage features and preventing further dilapidation. A "mood board" included with the application suggests a "speakeasy cocktail bar" atmosphere, with the establishment serving mainly wine and bar snacks such as cheese.
Although the council owns the building, it must secure planning permission from its own planning department. The application, reference PA/25/01676/NC, is available for public viewing and comment on the council's planning portal.
