History of the Town Hall
Stoke Newington Town Hall was built in 1935-37 by the architect J. Reginald Truelove following an open competition held by the Stoke Newington Metropolitan Borough Council.
The competition was for designs to extend the existing public library, which was originally built in 1890 by Bridgman & Goss and later extended in 1905 to take advantage of a very prominent site that once accommodated the 15th century Manor House.
Designed in an English Renaissance style, the buildings were fitted out in art deco (the style of the time). The building is a lasting reminder of Stoke Newington’s great civic pride in its status as a Metropolitan borough.
The grand opening was on 27 September 1937 by the Lord Mayor of London, with music performed by the Band of the Welsh Guards.
Grand opening of Stoke Newington Town Hall
Staircase leading up to the Council Chamber, Stoke Newington Town Hall
The War Effort
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Just 18 months later, war was declared, and the Council was thrown into the business of conflict. The Assembly Hall played an important part role in the war effort and keeping up the fighting spirit. It was a venue for morale-boosting variety shows and a location where locals could collect their gas masks. The Council did all it could to protect the newly completed building. You can still see the camouflage paint that may have saved the building on the exterior walls, as it suffered little damage despite heavy bombing all around it. The paint has been carefully restored and incorporated into the new entrance. |
A Great Night Out
Throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the Assembly Hall held classical music concerts and it was famed for its annual Opera Cabaret. The Saturday night dance was the highlight of a 1940s or 50s week - “Going up Stokey?” was the question on everyone’s lips.
Even after 1965, when the Metropolitan boroughs of Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington had become the London Borough of Hackney and the seat of power moved to our current Town Hall in Mare Street, the Assembly Hall continued as a lively entertainment venue. The building hosted stars such as Eartha Kitt, George Melly and Barbara Windsor.
Have you got a story about the Town Hall to tell?
We would love to hear from residents who used the building in the past.
Were you married at Stoke Newington Town Hall? Did you enjoy dancing or other events at the building? Please share your stories and photos with us.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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