Stratford House (Birmingham)

Stratford House is a Grade II* listed house in the Highgate area of Birmingham, England.[1] Dating from 1601, it is located near Camp Hill traffic island. It was built by Ambrose and Bridget Rotton whose initials are carved over the porch.[2] There is also an insurance plate on the front. The house was originally located on a 20-acre (8.1 ha) farm owned by Ambrose, who kept sheep, oxen, cows and pigs.

The house in 2010

In 1840, the Midland Railway opened a goods yard at nearby Camp Hill. In 1926, the company's successor, the London, Midland and Scottish railway purchased the house with a view to demolishing it. There was a public outcry and the house was saved. There were further plans to demolish the house in 1950 as it was in a dilapidated state. However, it was bought in 1954 by Ivon Adams who restored it.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s Stratford House provided office accommodation for Network Records, one of the leading UK exponents of techno music.[3]

In January 2015 the Birmingham Mail reported that Stratford House was being used as a swingers' club, trading under the name Tudor Lounge. The occupants had signed a ten-year lease in March 2014 and had obtained permission from Birmingham City Council to use the building as a 'private members meeting venue'. Local residents later raised objections.[4] Late on 28 December 2015, the building was damaged by fire.[5]

Following acceptance in April 2016 of a detailed planning application[6] the building was extensively refurbished and is, as of 2020, occupied by Age UK Birmingham and Age UK Sandwell (separate local-focused charities from the national Age UK.)[7]

References
  1. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1076165)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  2. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1076165)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  3. Byng, Nick (28 October 2014). "Birmingham dance scene". Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  4. Oldham, Jeanette (28 January 2015). "Tudor Lounge: Stratford House in Highgate turned into swingers club - with 'blessing' of council". Birmingham Mail. Birmingham. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  5. Gibbons, Brett (29 December 2015). "Tudor Lounge swingers' club in Highgate hit by fire". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  6. "Details Page for Planning Application - 2016/01604/PA". eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  7. "New home hosts 2019 AGM". 5 November 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2020.

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