There are not many buildings in Watford’s past that have been opened by a person as important as the Prime Minister, but that was what happened to a popular hall after it had been extended. 

The Watford Observer has again linked up with its friends at Watford Museum to look back at structures, objects or businesses from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated and today we remember the Watford Trade Union Hall.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “On January 30, 1931, the newly extended Watford Trade Union Hall in Woodford Road was opened by the then Prime Minister, J Ramsay Macdonald. To commemorate the event a souvenir programme with a golden cover was produced.

Watford Observer: The hall was in Woodford RoadThe hall was in Woodford Road (Image: Watford Museum)

“The original hall had been built by voluntary labour between 1921 and 1923. It hosted the usual meetings and fund-raising events such as bazaars and dances but the hall became so popular that an extension was constructed, between 1928 and 1931, to provide better facilities.

Watford Observer: The golden cover of the programmeThe golden cover of the programme (Image: Watford Museum)

“The site had been redeveloped by 2008 for the Watford Trade Unionist & Labour Club and in 2017/18 that building was demolished and new flats built on the site.”

Watford Observer: The order of the opening ceremony in the programmeThe order of the opening ceremony in the programme (Image: Watford Museum)

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

Watford Observer: The site of the hall in July 2021The site of the hall in July 2021 (Image: Google Street View)