At the end of the 18th century Hull was, to use a recent newspaper headline, "one of the UK's fastest emerging cities". A savvy local tobacco merchant, Richard Baker, bought up land to the north of the new dock and two new streets were built Albion Street and Baker Street. The eastern end of Baker Street is now in a pretty poor state and due for demolition and the erection of apartments to join up with a particularly bland block of living units (but don't hold your breath). The other end is in a much better state and being looked after. There used to be a public convenience at the western end but though the building is still standing it is permanently closed; if you want to pee in the city of culture you must seek relief elsewhere.
There is now ONE public convenience in Hull. It closes at 4.30pm on the dot. How very civilized, I hope all those incoming culture tourists have cast-iron bladders.
ReplyDeleteVictorian England was - if you will excuse the pun - awash with public conveniences. In the modern world, visits to any city centre are fraught with anxiety for anybody with a weak bladder. We are forced into McDonalds or up alleyways behind skips and if the cops spot you you are collared for urinating in a public place. Maybe we shouldn't drink.
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