India Club, London

The India Club is a social and dining club on the Strand in London, England. Established in 1951 under the leadership of Krishna Menon, its founding members include Lady Mountbatten and Jawaharlal Nehru.[1]

The India Club
Formation1951 (1951)
Location
Websitehttps://www.theindiaclub.co.uk/

History

Today the space is no longer a members' club and is open to all. The building has retained original colonial features from the time of occupation by the India League. It is the only building in London connected to the India League which has been neither re-developed nor re-purposed. Portraits and photographs of famous historical figures from the Indian independence movement adorn the walls.[2]

The National Trust staged an exhibition about the venue's history in 2019.[3]

Proposed demolition

In September 2017 plans were submitted to Westminster City Council for the building to be partially demolished, replacing the India Club with en-suite hotel bedrooms. This would have required the closure of the India Club.[4] A petition to save the club reached over 26,000 signatures, leading the council to reject the redevelopment plans.[5][6]

Its preservation is an enduring symbol of Indo-British friendship.[7]

References
  1. Naomi Canton (5 October 2017). "Historic India Club in London may come down". Times of India.
  2. Danish Khan (8 October 2017). "Welcome to the Club". The Pune Mirror.
  3. "A Home Away From Home: The India Club exhibition". National Trust. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  4. Edward Anderson (2 October 2017). "Is it the End of the Road for London's Historic India Club?". The Wire.
  5. "London's India Club, saved from developers, celebrates its history | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  6. Rose, Eleanor (27 September 2017). "London's 'marvellous' India Club under threat from plans for upmarket hotel". Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  7. Danish Khan (8 October 2017). "Welcome to the Club". The Pune Mirror.

Further reading

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