‘Late Night Lycett’ Opens New Pangbourne Public Toilets featuring Wallgate Sanitaryware

Pangbourne car park toilets were originally built in 1991 and were managed and maintained by West Berkshire Council up until 2012. Due to financial restraints, in 2015 there was no other option but to close the toilets to the public. The toilets remained closed for two years.

After locals became frustrated with visitors frequently asking to use their facilities, the residents of Pangbourne rallied to take on the toilets themselves! To do this they needed to set up and register their charity organisation ‘Action for Pangbourne Toilets Community Trust’, apply for a 99-year lease on the toilet block, and fundraise enough money through local resources and crowd-funding initiatives to re-open the much-missed public amenities.

In 2017 the toilets finally made a comeback and were open once again to the public. In 2019 the Trust decided to modernise the facilities, and the charities fundraising efforts paid off again as they refurbished the disabled unit. The ladies’ toilets, consisting of three individual cubicles and two handwash basins, was refurbished in 2020 using Wallgate sanitaryware, and the Trust returned to us earlier this year (2024) as an affordable solution for their men’s toilet refurbishment, consisting of three individual cubicles, three urinals, two dividers, and two handwash basins with shrouds.

Trustee, Dave Probert, commented “There were a few reasons for choosing Wallgate for this project, but mainly because we could get everything we needed as a complete package, whereas other suppliers couldn’t offer that”. Dave praised Wallgate for being efficient, thorough, and supportive throughout the process, and mentioned our solid surface material, adding “they look much nicer than the stainless-steel toilets and troughs that were there before. I’m impressed with the integral seat design and how anti-vandal they are”. Dave explained about the issue of vandalism in the area and how this feature was exactly what they needed.

Pangbourne still have one more toilet to refurbish, the single-cubicle night toilet. As the main toilets are locked overnight between 7pm – 7am to deter vandalism and rough sleepers, the Trust wanted to ensure they kept access to a public toilet for those that need it. Money is currently being raised for this final part of the project via various events and donation points.

Once complete, Dave said the Trust plans to hand the toilets over to the parish council. He advised that many of the residents involved in the Trust are much older, they take great pride in what they have achieved, and believe the parish council are the best option to ensure the facilities keep going for many years to come.

Speaking to Dave about the recent opening ceremony aired on Bafta Award Winning Show Late Night Lycett, he explained that the charity likes to hold a ceremony for each opening to celebrate the hard work. He went on to say that being on the show started as a joke when a committee member with the maiden name ‘Lycett’ emailed the show; the Trust never expected a response two weeks later. Within two days film crews took over the car park, Big Brother winner David Potts cut the ribbon live on air, and the whole community embraced the event with free prosecco, a burger van, balloons & activities, and even printed toilet rolls!

Pangbourne's new toilets will continue to be a point of interest and a symbol of successful community collaboration.

You can find out more and donate to Action for Pangbourne Toilets Community Trust here