West Pier Public Convenience facts for kids
The West Pier Public Convenience, also known as the Victorian Toilets, is a special public restroom building. You can find it on the west pier of the harbour in Rothesay, a town on the Isle of Bute. This building first opened its doors in 1900. It replaced older, simpler facilities. In 1994, it was carefully updated. Today, these toilets are not just for use; they are also a popular place for visitors to see. They are even officially protected as a historic building because of their importance.
Contents
Building the Victorian Toilets
Why Rothesay Needed New Toilets
The idea for these toilets came about in 1899. The Rothesay Harbour Trustees, who managed the harbour, wanted to replace the older, less fancy facilities. At that time, Rothesay was a very popular holiday spot. It was easy to reach by steamer ship from Glasgow, a big city nearby. Many people would visit Rothesay for day trips or holidays.
Special Features of the Toilets
Because so many people visited, the toilets were built to be very strong and beautiful. They had fancy details and fittings. Most of these special parts were made by a company called Twyfords. The whole project cost about £530 back then. The men's section had 20 urinals, which are special fixtures for men to use. Water for these came through copper pipes from four large tanks. There were also nine private cubicles, each with a lavatory pan (toilet).
Making the Toilets Modern
When Were the Toilets Updated?
The Victorian Toilets got a big update in 1994. This renovation cost around £300,000. A group called the Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust helped pay for this work.
New Facilities for Everyone
During the update, a nearby storage room and office were changed. These new spaces were used to add facilities for ladies. They also created a special disabled toilet for people with disabilities. Plus, a shower was added. Now, a charity group called Bute Victoriana helps to look after these historic toilets. More work was done in 2016 to make sure the toilets could be open all day and night.
Gallery
-
Men's urinals
-
A close-up of the Twyfords label
-
The wash basins in the toilets
-
A Water closet (toilet) cubicle
