News / Clifton
Ladies Mile loos to be restored
After a campaign to raise money to repair the infamous Ladies Mile loos on the Downs, the lord mayor has been presented with a substantial cheque.
£7,500 was raised through sales of the infamous book, Ladies’ Mile, which was reprinted and sold from December 2023. It has since sold more than 700 copies.
The book is based on the diary of cloakroom attendant Victoria Hughes, who worked at the loos from 1929 to 1962.
is needed now More than ever
The book is revered for giving an empathetic and authentic portrayal of the sex workers who frequented the loos during the time.
The Victorian architecture of the Ladies Mile loos stands out across the Downs
Before 2023 the book, originally published and edited in 1979 by David Foot, had been long sold out.
Encouraged by members of the Downs Committee, in the summer of 2022 Kerris Harrop set up a crowdfunding campaign to reprint the book, which reached its target of £6000 in 2023.
The money was used to purchase a special licence to reprint Ladies’ Mile, at which point Kerris was then able to publish, print and distribute copies of the book through her business, BristolRead Books, which was set up solely for this purpose.
All sales of the book went towards refurbishing the loos.
The interior is clean but the structure has deteriorated over the decades
Kerris Harrop said she was very pleased with the support she had received in bringing the book back and that there was now enough money to refurbish the loos.
She said she had fond memories of being a school child walking by the loos and thinking how beautiful it was – and how disappointing it was to see the disrepair it had fallen into.
Plaster has started to peel away from the walls
Two other guests who attended the gathering on Thursday included Johnathon Baker, from the Downs Committee, and Steven Chalk, a local author.
Johnathon spoke of the hard work the community puts in to maintain the 440-acre open space.
He pointed out all the activities the Downs Committee supports, including the Downs League, the circus, rock climbing fitness and funfairs.
He also highlighted the importance of people contributing to the Downs’ upkeep. He said maintenance costs are: “£500,000 a year. We’re usually £150,000 down a year.
“If we could persuade all those that lived in BS6, BS8 and BS9 to contribute £50 a year, it would help massively.”
Steven Chalk, a local author, came along to speak
Steven Chalk added: “It’s a wonderful story. Both Victoria and David, they were writing with tremendous compassion, humanity and humour. They unveiled a side of Bristol life that I’m sure the people at the time didn’t want unveiled.
“But now it’s added immensely to our knowledge of the past and of the city.”
Also in attendance were David Foot’s children, who were visibly proud.
All photos: Hannah Massoudi
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