| Summary : No. 33 Queen's Road, Bristol, was the 'Votes for Women' shop of the Bristol branch of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) from September 1908 until April 1909. Further evidence is required to determine when it was built and whether the current building at this location is that which housed the WSPU shop. The WSPU was an organisation known for their use of militancy in the campaign to achieve women's suffrage and their Bristol branch was established in 1907. Through their shops, the WSPU sold a wide variety of merchandise which featured their trademark colours of white, green and purple. They weren't just a focus for their commercial operations, however. 'Votes for Women' shops were also places where rallies and talks took place and often served as a base for a branch's administrative functions. |
More information : No. 33 Queen's Road, Bristol, was the shop of the Bristol branch of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) from September 1908 until April 1909. The WSPU was an organisation known for their use of militancy in the campaign to achieve women's suffrage and their Bristol branch was established by Annie Kenney in 1907. (1)
According to Mercer (2005), the 'Votes for Women' shops opened by the WSPU from 1909 '..were used as bases for rallies, talks and public enquiries, as well as absorbing the day-to-day organisation necessary in the branches.' He outlines how '..their description as 'shops'...indicates the commercial element at the heart of these operations, their functions including the promotion of the organisation through the sale of propaganda, and feeding the growing demand for purple, white and green merchandise.' (2)
Without further evidence it cannot be established when No. 33 Queens Road, Bristol, was built, nor whether the current building here is that which was used as the Bristol WSPU shop in 1908-9. (3)
This is an image of a badge produced for sale by the WSPU bearing a photograph of Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence. It is held in the collection at the Museum of London and its ID no. is MoL_50.82/1163. To see the image, click on the link in the list of sources. (4)
This is an image of a badge produced for sale by the WSPU which depicts a woman breaking free of prison. It is in the trademark colours of white, purple and green. The badge is held in the collection at the Museum of London and its ID no. is MoL_77.166/3. To see the image, click on the link in the list of sources. (5)
This is an image of a badge produced for sale by the WSPU bearing a photograph of Chrsitabel Pankhurst. It is held in the collection at the Museum of London and its ID no. is MoL_50.82/1161. To see the image, click on the link in the list of sources. (6)
This is an image of a scarf produced for sale by the WSPU. It features the trademark colours of white, purple and green and bears the slogan 'Votes for Women'. It is held in the collection at the Museum of London and its ID no. is MoL_53.51. To see the image, click on the link in the list of sources. (7)
This is an image of a board game called 'Pank-a-Squith' which was produced for sale by the WSPU. The game requires players to throw a dice and move the suffragette figure from her home to the Houses of Parliament while overcoming obstacles along the way. The game is held in the collection at the Museum of London and its ID no. is MoL_50.82/1511. To see the image, click on the link in the list of sources. (8)
This is an image of an edition of the WSPU newspaper 'Votes for Women'. It is held in the collection at the Museum of London and its ID no. is MoL_NN23729. To see the image, click on the link in the list of sources. (9)
Sources 4-9 contain images of WSPU merchandise which may have been available for purchase in the Bristol shop. (10)
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