For the first time ever, Lewisham Local, who run the Lewisham Community Toilet scheme, hosted the Loowisham Loo of the Year Award to celebrate Lewisham’s most outstanding Community Toilets.
The Lewisham Community Toilet Scheme provides clean, safe and accessible toilets that are open to the public, at no cost thanks to local businesses, cafés, community centres and libraries who offer their toilet facilities are available for you to use.
The following awards were given as voted by the people of Lewisham.
No1…. Corbett Community Library
Comments from voters included:
‘Corbett Community Library is such a friendly welcoming space and a lovely atmosphere; the staff are so friendly, and the toilet is always clean and tidy’.
‘Amazing toilets 🖤’
‘A delightful and welcoming space, where my baby is as welcome as I am’.
Benjamin receiving The Golden Toilet Brush award from Janet Daby MP on behalf of The Corbett Community Library
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No2……. Catford Mews
‘The whole space feels warm and comfortable, it’s well used, clean and you can just walk in without having to ask permission. I don’t know the cleaners, but they do a brilliant job.’
‘Lots of space, wheelchair and baby friendly – has baby change in the men’s so thoughtful design for dads as well as mums’.
New Kids on the Block Catford Mews, Dominic and Adlai great new addition to the community toilet map of Lewisham.
Additional categories to highlight the importance of carefully considered design, cleanliness, and the wellbeing of various people within our community, plus the hard work and dedication of the work that goes behind the upkeep of the toilets.
Most Accessible Toilet……Deptford Lounge
For having a well-designed changing places space for people with limited mobility to help get onto a toilet and for changing clothes or pads.
Changing places room at Deptford Lounge
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Prettiest Toilet Award……Brickfields Brockley
Beautiful community toilet with brilliant design, soap, pictures, and hand towels
Janet Daby Presenting to Brickfields Manager Emily Conway
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Most Fascinating Toilet……New Cross Learning
Kathy has helped create a library on the walls within the toilet space.
‘People love our toilet; some people are in there for a long time as they are reading the history of New Cross’
1 Kathy Dunbar showing the history of New Cross.
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Period Friendly Point ……Deptford Lounge
‘Nice design, privacy, functional, very clean, friendly staff, Deptford Lounge also provide female hygiene products.’
Free access to sanitary products for those facing hygiene and period poverty.
Emily Carr with 2 awards at Deptford Lounge
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Baby Friendly…Abbotshall HLC
A great family friendly site offering lots of space for buggies, changing table and free nappies and wipes for use.
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Gender Neutral…..,Goldsmiths University.
Great inclusive modern toilets with clear signage including Braille.
Anthony Crowther Goldsmiths University
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Toilet Attendant/Guardian….. Rachel Braitwaite
From The Corbett Community Library ‘Always so kind, caring and helpful. Thank you’
Rachel Braithwaite
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The Top 20 Loo’s as voted by the people of Lewisham.
| Community Loo | Votes |
| Corbett Community Library | No1 |
| Catford Mews | No2 |
| Deptford Lounge | 3rd |
| Lewisham Shopping Centre | 4th |
| Forest Hill Pools | 5th |
| Blackheath Halls | 6th |
| Horniman Museum & Gardens | 7th |
| The Albany | 8th |
| The Green Man Bromley Rd | 9th |
| Catford Library | 10th |
| Forest Hill Library | 11th |
| Abbotshall Healthy Lifestyle Centre Catford | 12th |
| Beckenham Park Place | 13th |
| Blackheath age Exchange | 14th |
| Hilly Fields Park Café | 15th |
| Lewisham Local The PLACE Ladywell | 16th |
| Catford Bridge Tavern | 17th |
| Downham Leisure Centre | 18th |
| Brockley Barge | 19th |
| Ninth Life | 20th |
(The competition was promoted via Lewisham Local Newsletters, instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 150 completed the competition survey)
We have had lots of positive feedback so watch this space for Loowisham Loo of the year 2024!
Any more info on the Lewisham Community Toilet scheme please check https://www.lewishamlocal.com/community-toilets-map/
Or email communitytoilets@lewishamlocal.com
Many thanks to our fantastic Lewisham Bathroom Business H.E Olby for helping with the sponsorship of prizes
Lewisham Council who funders the Lewisham Community Toilet Scheme.
Thanks also go to
Janet Daby MP Lewisham East
Cllr Joan Millbank
The Positive Ageing Council and Table Talk
Tina Price-Johnson Mystery shopper
Lisa Lye Health Ambassador Lewisham
And all Community Toilet providers who enable us to run the scheme for Lewisham’s residents.