The £20,000 public conveniences in Wide Bargate were a nationwide first for having their entire wall area covered in small, stainless steel tiles.
The tiles – manufactured in Sheffield – were billed as simple to wash down, but also particularly difficult to deface.The Standard described the toilets as a ‘superloo’ and noted they had been receiving coverage in the trade press in this country and abroad, largely due to their ‘vandal-proof nature’.
Following an inspection of the facilities, Coun Margaret Haworth, chairman of the borough’s Public Health Committee, said: “I am very pleased with them. One or two items will need attention, but we were anxious to get them open as soon as possible because the need for them has been so serious.
“The old toliets they replaced – and which are to be demolished – often could not cope on Market days and on Sundays in the summer, when sometimes as many as 18 coaches have been waiting there with women queued up for half-an-hour.”
All fitments, including hand wash basins and the electronically controlled warm air ‘towels’, were made of stainless steel, too.
“The floors are terazzo tiled, windows are fitted with an unbreakable plastic composition, and the woondern framework is varnished rather than painted,” the paper added.
1. Unique 'superloo' for Boston in 1973
Coun Margaret Haworth with Mr R. W. D. Hydes, managing director of Stainless Steel Tile Company, of Sheffield, suppliers of the small, stainless steel tiles. Photo: Boston Standard
2. Unique 'superloo' for Boston in 1973
As well as the walls, all the fitments were stainless steel as well. Photo: Boston Standard
3. Unique 'superloo' for Boston in 1973
The old toilets in the background, set to be demolished. Photo: Boston Standard