John Smith House, Southwark

John Smith House is the former Labour Party headquarters at 144–152 Walworth Road in south London.[1] The party first occupied the building in 1980, vacating its former headquarters at Transport House.

John Smith House (2013)

It was renamed in memory of John Smith, the former leader of the Labour Party who died in office in May 1994, less than two years after becoming leader.[2][3]

History

Between 1995 and 1997, the Labour Party moved most of its functions from John Smith House to Millbank Tower, which became its official headquarters at the end of 1997, shortly after it formed a new government after winning the general election. The Labour Party Archive and Library moved in 1990 from Walworth Road to join the People's History Museum. John Smith House was formerly used by Southwark Local Education Authority before becoming the party headquarters.

Planning permission was granted in 2010 to turn it into the Safestay budget hotel, which opened in 2012.[4]

Surrounds

Next door to John Smith House was the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions.

References
  1. "The Labour Party". news.bbc.co.uk. May 1997. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  2. "Tom Watson says goodbye to Walworth Rd". labour-uncut.co.uk. 20 October 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  3. "1994: Labour leader John Smith dies at 55". news.bbc.co.uk. 12 May 1994. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  4. "Safestay to open in Elephant & Castle, London, SE17". safestay.co.uk. 9 September 2012. Archived from the original on 9 September 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.

51.4907°N 0.0976°W / 51.4907; -0.0976

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