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The first mention of public toilets in the city appears to be in October 1853 when ‘the making of a number of public urinals was referred to the Committee of Works to carry into effect,’ and by January 1854 ‘two iron urinals similar to those in Glasgow’ had been ordered. Many public conveniences were installed in the city but by 2025 only two were operational, owned and managed by the City Council, viz: Queen Victoria Square and Nelson Street. A further three remain extant but are closed for use, viz: Baker Street, Clarence Street and Market Place.

Paul Gibson, local historian, has produced much detailed information on public toilets in the city: Link and Link

Where outdoor public conveniences were originally the sole means of ‘spending a penny’, today the private retail sector provides indoor toilets for its customers, e.g. at the larger supermarkets, Hull Paragon Interchange, the shopping centres at Prince’s Quay and St Stephen’s, Trinity Market.