Flush & Fix: London Loos and the Restart Café

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week we take a rather unexpected journey through the city — from flushing away the everyday to restoring what we might otherwise dump. This episode explores how even the most overlooked spaces and objects can tell powerful stories about how we live. First, our new segment, Let’s Go to the Loo! Kevin is joined by Rachel Cole-Wilkin, creator of London Loo Tours, for a guided exploration of the capital’s most fascinating facilities. What begins as a practical search for convenience quickly reveals something much deeper — a story of design, history, and social change. From the beautifully conceived Jubiloo near the South Bank to the Victorian origins of public sanitation, we uncover how these everyday spaces reflect shifting attitudes towards hygiene, public life, and even profit. Along the way, we encounter the Great Stink of 1858, the engineering brilliance of Bazalgette’s sewer system, and the surprising truth that even a toilet can be a piece of storytelling architecture.   Then, when the bells ring out across the city, it’s time for Parish Notices — and a visit to the world of Repair Cafés. In a culture built on convenience and disposal, these community-led spaces offer something radically different: the chance to slow down, learn new skills, and bring broken objects back to life. Through the work of The Restart Project and local volunteers, we explore how repairing a kettle, mending a coat, or fixing a clock can become something far more meaningful — a way to preserve memories, reduce waste, and reconnect with both our possessions and each other. So whether you’re navigating the city in search of relief, or taking a moment to repair what’s  broken — there’s always a place to pause, restart, and begin again in The Big Smoke. — Links 🚻 London Loo Tours ♻️ The Restart Project – Southfields Mend, Fix & Repair Café.  — Chapters (00:00) Intro & Show Menu (01:26) Let’s Go to the Loo! (16:33) Parish Notices: Repair Café (28:09) Outro — Credits Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett Produced & Edited by Alex Graham Original Music by Giles Terera Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins Parish Notices written by Blanche Coy