A long-standing issue on Clapham Common has now been resolved, with the completion of a major refurbishment of the public toilets beside Pear Tree Café.
After several weeks of construction work, the upgraded facilities are now open, delivering a significant improvement for the thousands of people who use this busy area of the Common each week.
What’s Changed
The refurbishment has delivered a modernised layout designed to better reflect how the Common is used today. The completed facilities now include:
- Five new female toilet cubicles
- One fully accessible toilet with a changing table
- One male toilet cubicle and a new set of urinals
The improvements aim to reduce queues, improve accessibility and provide a more reliable facility for families, park users and café visitors alike.
An Issue Raised Years Ago
The need for improved toilet provision on Clapham Common has been discussed for many years. Concerns were formally raised as early as 2004, during the first meetings of the Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC).
As use of the Common has continued to grow with increased footfall, events and everyday activity pressure on existing facilities became increasingly clear. The completion of this project marks the outcome of years of discussion, planning and persistence.
A Collaborative Effort
The refurbishment was delivered through collaboration between Pear Tree Café, CCMAC, Friends of Clapham Common, and Lambeth Parks officers.
This joint approach ensured the project met practical needs while respecting the Common’s status as a protected public green space.
Temporary facilities were provided during the works to minimise disruption and maintain access throughout the refurbishment period.
A Small Upgrade with Lasting Impact
While public toilets are rarely noticed when they work well, they are essential to making Clapham Common accessible and welcoming for all users.
With the refurbishment now complete, this part of the Common is better equipped to support everyday use from families and café customers to those spending longer periods enjoying the park.