Page 77 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016

London Tavern
Bishopsgate Street

(1767 - 1876)
The building was erected in 1767 to William Jupp's plans on the site of
the White Lion Tavern which had burnt down 2 years earlier in the great
local fair fire. By 1768 it was described as "an excellently managed
establishment, famous for its dinners, wines, and turtle. As many as 355
could dine with comfort in the large room on the upper floor". From the
outset it was used by many lodges for masonic meetings until its demise
in 1876. Livery companies also used its facilities. It became an an
important location for meetings: in 1788 the Court of Common Council
met there; the Royal Jennerian Society was founded on its premises
aimed at exterminating smallpox (1803); a subscription to raise aid for
the Dutch who had suffered devastating floods (1820); a committee sat
there to press "for a thorough reform of the Customs Department" (1851);
and the Garibaldi Committee met there to raise funds to help free the
people ofItaly from Bourbon rule (1860). Difficulties over the remewal
of a lease forced its closure in June 1876. The site was acquired by the
Bank of Scotland for £80,000 which it occupied until recently when it
was acquired by HSBC - as 3, Bishopsgate.

·(Crawford St

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