Barton Street Working Men's Club

A ‘special meeting’ was held at the Vauxhall Hotel, Gloucester in December 1912. The meeting ‘having heard the principal and benefits to be derived from the establishment of a labour club and institute……….decide[d] to take the initiative in the establishment of the same in Gloucester’. Copies of the proposal were sent to over 40 labour groups. By February 1913, the numbers of groups ‘replying as agreeable represented 1500 members’.

Efforts were then concentrated on raising the funds necessary for the establishment of the club and in September 1913, enquiries were begun to select suitable premises. The Midland Hotel and Ribston Hall were first suggested, along with a building in Southgate Street. By February 1914, the committee had decided to purchase Highfield House at 115 Barton Street. The house would be ‘regarded as the birthplace of a higher moral, social and intellectual status amongst the labour movement of Gloucester’.
On completion of necessary building and furnishing work, the club was opened in September 1914 with around 500 members. It was a meeting place for the Gloucester labour unions. By the end of 1917 the majority of unions in Gloucester were affiliated. The minutes are held at Gloucestershire Archives (reference number D9008) and paint a detailed picture of the day to day running of the club in the years that followed.

In 1972, the club’s name was changed from Gloucester Labour Club and Institute to The Gloucester Working Men’s Club and Institute to distinguish it from the Labour Party.

In 1982 the club purchased 109-111 Barton Street. The existing buildings on this site and the old club buildings were demolished and the site used for a new, larger club building, which was opened in November 1983.

In the 1990s, the club began to experience financial difficulties and in 1995 debts amounted to over £11,000.  The club closed on 20 May 2001.

Do you have any memories of the club?  If you do, please add a comment below.

Comments about this page

  • Lived here 1960 – 64, I would love to see any photos of building that may be around.

    By Lynne Holmes nee Kingscote (07/03/2021)
  • i had a may Saturday night with family there as a child in the old club i can remember long table’s up ether side of a massive hall with a stage at one end with silver screen at the back of the stage and the bar at the other end there was a game room for the kids it was grate we did not go so much in the new building just did not have the same atmosphere but my dad still went Saturday lunch time with his blazer on

    By john (21/01/2018)

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