North London Food & Culture

What will really happen when a bar opens in the toilets?

Change of use from public convenience to cocktail lounge highlights all that’s good about K-Town in 2014

Finally getting a facelift, the derilict toilets on Fortess Rd Pic: Stephen Emms
Yuck. Can anyone really argue that litter-strewn decay is preferable to a stylish bar? Photo: Stephen Emms

As you’ll no doubt have gathered from our rave about inspired new bar Knowhere Special, or tendency to be found sipping a poitini in a cosy booth at Shebeen of an evening, we’re big fans of the quality cocktail culture that’s flourishing in the neighbourhood right now.

And with the long-awaited arrival of Ladies & Gentlemen – which will see the derelict public loos at the junction of Fortess Rd finally regenerated – this little cultural phenomenon only goes from strength to strength.

There’s huge excitement from Kentishtowners, but obviously – whenever alcohol comes in to play – a few concerns too. Mr Vestal Vodka, William Borrell, the man behind the toilet bar plans (and incidentally life-long central Kentish Town resident himself), is keen to scotch fears of a stumbling, shouting and urinating army spilling onto our streets.

After years in the wilderness, soon to be a very desirable hangout for locals
After years in the wilderness, soon to be at the convenience of locals once more

“I started discussions with the council about changing the underground toilets – which have been decaying since closure in the 90s – into a bar over two years ago,” he says.


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“For some people a neighbourhood bar might seem a strange concept, but I see it as a place much like that in the TV show Cheers, where regulars are encouraged to hang out after work and exchange ideas and thoughts. Also, we look to source a lot of ingredients from allotments locally and focus on seasonal menus and craft lagers. Look out for some of my mum and auntie’s homemade sausage rolls and scotch eggs, made fresh daily.”

So, no plans for 2-4-1 deals on alcopops or wild karaoke night specials for the neighbours to be concerned about then?

William Borrell with his tradmark suitcase and Vestal Vodka
William Borrell with his tradmark suitcase and Vestal Vodka

“I have sought from the beginning to engage with all neighbours and local businesses on this project,” says Will, “as I feel it can play another positive part in the prosperity that Kentish Town is currently enjoying. Whilst I have read there are a handful of objectors – who I understand object to most proposals in the area – I have been overwhelmed by the support for this small project.”

Still, it would be tragic if a few unfounded grumbles scuppered the regeneration of the crumbling, unviable toilets, leaving them to rot for another decade. Let alone stifling the very culture and spirit of innovation that attracts new businesses to our thankfully vibrant local economy in the first place.

Therefore William needs those who welcome his sophisticated new bar to the area to lodge their approval with the Council, so that a full representation of voices make themselves heard.

“My hope is that people can see that small independent operators are at the core of what makes Kentish Town amazing, and not the large coffee chains and national estate agents that are moving in. I hope this project excites you as much it does me, so please place any positive thoughts you have about our plans in an email to the council asap. Thanks – and I look forward to welcoming you all to Ladies & Gentlemen later in the spring.”

Read the full case file on the Camden planning website. The online consultation form appears to be broken at the moment, so instead;

Email: planning@camden.gov.uk
Subject: App ref 2014/1289/P Highgate Road Public Conveniences


11 thoughts on “What will really happen when a bar opens in the toilets?”

  1. It’s a great idea. It’s never going to be used as a loo again let’s be honest. With the Bull & Gate pub and venue shut this will be a good replacement. No-one had issues with the noise there did they? Everyone wanted it to stay open right?There’ll be plenty of customers too as Greene & Co have bought the lease for the massive space under the Tally Ho apartments and will be using it as their head office.

  2. How can anyone object to a creative and inventive project due to rejuvenate the area and transform a disused and ugly building into something that can only enrich the area!

  3. Strikes me as a bit dangerous, given its situation, to have people who have been drinking spilling out of there into what is virtually the middle of a busy road junction with little space for pedestrians.

    1. PrinceofWalesDaniel

      Seriously? All that’s separating The Grafton and The Oxford to name but two (much bigger premises) from a junction, is a pavement with higher footfall. There must be hundreds of drinking establishments in London in a similar situation.

  4. Err, it was a hairdressers quite recently until it was flooded and they had to close. So not just sub-terranean but also sub-aqua. Hope Mr Vestal Vodka can resolve this before he puts too much money into it.

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11 thoughts on “What will really happen when a bar opens in the toilets?”

  1. It’s a great idea. It’s never going to be used as a loo again let’s be honest. With the Bull & Gate pub and venue shut this will be a good replacement. No-one had issues with the noise there did they? Everyone wanted it to stay open right?There’ll be plenty of customers too as Greene & Co have bought the lease for the massive space under the Tally Ho apartments and will be using it as their head office.

  2. How can anyone object to a creative and inventive project due to rejuvenate the area and transform a disused and ugly building into something that can only enrich the area!

  3. Strikes me as a bit dangerous, given its situation, to have people who have been drinking spilling out of there into what is virtually the middle of a busy road junction with little space for pedestrians.

    1. PrinceofWalesDaniel

      Seriously? All that’s separating The Grafton and The Oxford to name but two (much bigger premises) from a junction, is a pavement with higher footfall. There must be hundreds of drinking establishments in London in a similar situation.

  4. Err, it was a hairdressers quite recently until it was flooded and they had to close. So not just sub-terranean but also sub-aqua. Hope Mr Vestal Vodka can resolve this before he puts too much money into it.

Leave a Comment

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The award-winning print and online title Kentishtowner was founded in 2010 and is part of London Belongs To Me, a citywide network of travel guides for locals. For more info on what we write about and why, see our About section.