Southampton pubs feeling flush after Loo of the Year Awards

The six Wetherspoons watering holes won an award for the quality and standards of their toilets in the Loo of the Year Awards 2024.

Despite many watering holes and boozers being notorious for having toilets that are far from sparkling, these Southampton pubs have been recognised for bucking the trend. 

The six pubs are: 

• The Standing Order in High Street, Southampton
• The Red Lion in Bitterne Road, Bitterne Village
• The Bright Water Inn in Shirley Road, Shirley
• The Wagon Works in Southampton Road, Eastleigh
• The Crown Inn in West Street, Fareham
• The Giddy Bridge in London Road, Southampton

The Standing Order manager, Nick Robbins, said: "We are delighted with the grading. 

"Staff at the pub ensure the toilets are in excellent condition at all times and it is great that this has been recognised by the inspectors."

The Loo of the Year Awards 2024 managing director, Becky Wall, said: "The toilets at the six pubs have been designed and fitted out to a very high standard and are both clean and well maintained.

"The pubs deserve their awards."

READ MORE: Inside the historic real ale pub which once housed the village fire station

The Wagon Works in Eastleigh and the Crown Inn in Fareham have each been awarded a platinum grading by inspectors.

Also highlighted by inspectors was the Giddy Bridge in Southampton which achieved a gold grading.

Wetherspoons has explained that the awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of 'away from home' toilet provision across the UK.

Loo of the Year Awards inspectors made unannounced visits to thousands of toilets at sites across the UK in order to judge them.

All of the toilets are graded bronze, silver, gold, platinum, platinum plus or diamond with unacceptable toilets not graded at all.

The toilets are judged against numerous criteria, including décor and maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand washing and drying equipment and overall management.