| Summary : The office of the Central Committee of the National Society for Women's Suffrage (CCNSWS) was located at No. 9 Berners Street, London, between 1872 and 1874. It shared the premises with the Berners Club for Women. This building is probably no longer extant and is thought to have been demolished prior to the construction of the Berners Hotel on this site in 1908-10.The CCNSWS formed towards the end of 1871 and held their first meeting on 17 January 1872. They were a central, London-based committee consisting of representatives from the provincial suffrage societies. It was felt, particularly among members from the Manchester National Society for Women's Suffrage, that a committee such as this could exert greater pressure on MPs. |
More information : The Central Committee of the National Society for Women's Suffrage (CCNSWS) formed towards the end of 1871 and their first meeting was held on 17 January 1872. They were a central, London-based committee consisting of representatives from the provincial suffrage societies. It was felt, particularly among members from the Manchester National Society for Women's Suffrage (MNSWS), that a committee such as this could exert greater pressure on MPs.
Between 1872 and 1874 the CCNSWS based themselves at 9 Berners St, London, which they shared with the Berners Club for Women. The secretaries of the CCNSWS during its time in Berners Street were Emma Smith and Helen Blackburn.
In 1874 the CCNSWS expressed their support, albeit reluctantly, for a bill which would enable all but married women to gain the right to vote. By 1888 however, their support for this measure was even stronger.
In 1877 they merged with the London National Society for Women's Suffrage (LNSWS) but split in 1888 due to differences in members' political affiliations. With the split, one group remained as the CCNSWS while the other named itself the Central National Society for Women's Suffrage (CNSWS).
In 1896 they changed their name to the Central and East of England Society for Women's Suffrage. This took place after a conference of all suffrage societies where it was agreed that the main societies should each cover one region of the country. (1)
Please see TQ2943091405 on OS map dated 1896, scale 1:2500. (2)
Please see TQ2943091405 on OS map dated 1916, scale 1:2500. (3)
This site is currently occupied by the Berners Hotel, built in 1908-10. (4)
On the map dated 1896 there were several smaller buildings on this site and its likely therefore that 9 Berners Street was demolished to make way for the hotel. By the 1916 map, the footprint of the building matches that of the current Berners Hotel. (5)
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