How Victorian Eastbourne Realised It Needed Public Loos
Simon Furber, in Eastbourne, and Cash Murphy, South East, explore Eastbourne's fascinating history with one of life's most basic amenities: the toilet.
In the Victorian era, as the town grew from a small settlement into a fashionable seaside resort, thousands of tourists arrived by train each year. However, the number of toilets did not keep pace with visitor numbers, as a popular boat race in 1870 revealed.
It's said that over 1,000 people used a small stable near the pier to go to the toilet. — Historian Kevin Gordon, Secret Sussex
Eastbourne's battle with convenience was well documented. One of the first public toilets was built at the Wish Tower slopes close to the seafront in 1873, but it wasn't until 17 years later that a sign was erected.
A growing interest in public toilets sparked debate, with Trinity Trees, a central street, becoming a focal point.
"The Duke of Devonshire said he didn't want any toilets, public toilets, on his land because he called them 'violations of public decency'." — Kevin Gordon
Even when toilets were built, they weren't universally accessible. Public ladies' toilets weren't introduced until 1900, after the council, initially male-led, turned down previous plans.
The town's rising popularity prompted the council to finally act.
"Thousands of people were coming down here by train, and I don't think the council initially realised that they needed the ordinary things that we all want." — Kevin Gordon
Now, Eastbourne boasts refurbished public toilets at the pier, bandstand, Holywell, and Beachy Head, with a £1 usage fee.
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