The building to the left of the frame here is The Two Rivers restaurant and bar. It sits where Blonk Street and Castlegate meet and is unusual because the building sits atop the confluence of the rivers Don and Sheaf. It’s also slightly unusual in that it is a re-purposed building. I wonder how many of the people visiting know that it used to be a public convenience?
It’s not the only re-imagined public toilet in the city either. There is a former gent’s toilets on Surrey Street wgich is now a cocktail bar named Public (pun no doubt intended). A public toilets in Handsworth, one of Sheffield’s districts a few miles from the city centre has a former public toilets now housing a barbershop. And I expect that there will be more.
While it’s good to see these places put to new life, I do wish that there were more actual public toilets around. They serve a very useful purpose and stop people having to use the facilities in cafes and bars where they might also be expected to buy food or drinks for the privilege. As much as it seems a humorous topic – particularly here in the UK where toilet humour is pretty much a curriculum subject – well maintained public toilets are a mark of a civilised society, I think. We all need to spend a penny now and then.
Canon Sure Shot Supreme & Fujifilm Superia X-tra 400. Lab Developed. Home scanned and converted with Negative Lab Pro.
Taken 5 February 2023.
Steel City Snapper photography 