Working Men’s Club, (Browning Club and Coffee Tavern), 195,Walworth Road, Walworth

In 1901 the Robert Browning Settlement was incorporated and in 1902 it established itself in purpose-built premises at 195 Walworth Road from where it provided services to the poor. The Browning Club and Coffee Tavern, Walworth Road, was formally opened on 14 June 1902, the 90th anniversary of Robert Browning’s baptism. The opening ceremony was performed by Charles Booth, the author of the Life and Labour of the People in London," and the dedicatory prayer was offered by the Bishop of Hereford. The key was presented to Mr. Booth by Miss Pye-Smith, and bore the settlement device and this inscription "With me, Charles Booth, D.Sc., F.R.S., Founder of the science of cities, opened the Browning Club, June 14, 1902." It was erected in connection with the Browning Hall Settlement, York Street, Walworth at a cost of £5,000, of which £3,000 had already been subscribed. The building contained drawing-room, two billiard-rooms with four tables, games, and other rooms. The coffee tavern was open to the public. The club started with a membership of 150. Subsequently the Settlement's was involved in the founding of the movement which brought about the giving of the first old-age pensions in the UK. In 1958 the Settlement moved out and the building opened as Herbert Morrison House, - the Labour Party headquarters until the 1980s.

The building was designed by Spalding and Cross in 1899, prior to the dissolution of this partnership and was completed by Henry Cross in partnership with his son. At the time of construction Browning Street was called York Street.

WALWORTH-That the Council, in the exercise of its powers under Sections 13 and 22 of the London Building Act, 1894, do consent to the position and frontage of a building, with two oriel windows, to be used as a working men's club, on the east side of Walworth-road, Walworth, at the corner of York street, and that the Council, under Section 4I. of that Act, do permit the erection of such building with an open space at the rear (Messrs. Spalding & Cross for Mr. Árnold Pye-Smith, J.P., and the Committee of the Robert Browning Settlement. Agreed [Builder 24 June 1899 page 619]

WALWORTH - That the application of Messrs Spalding & Spalding for an extension of the period within which the erection of a building, to be used as a working men’s club, on the east side of Walworth-road, Walworth, at the corner of York-street, was required to be commenced and completed, be granted. — Agreed [Builder 11 May 1901 page 466]

WALWORTH - The retention of a wooden hood over the entrance in York-street to the Walworth Working Mens Club, Walworth-road, Newington (Messrs. Spalding & Spalding).— Refused. [Builder 26 April 1902 page 425]

Reference        Builder 24 June 1899 page 619
Reference        Builder 11 May 1901 page 466
Reference        Builder 26 April 1902 page 425
Reference        Times 16 June 1902 page 10 - opening