The Old Bell, Covent Garden

The Old Bell is a Grade II listed public house at 16 Exeter Street and 23 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2.[1]

The Old Bell, now Be At One

It was built in 1835.[1] It is now a branch of the pub chain Be At One.

Reputed to be the first meeting place for the London Society Jan1792, The Old Bell, a tavern off the strand, Exeter Street London (which is obviously contrary to the above date of build of the premises). As stated in the introduction of The Making of The English Working Class, Edward Palmer Thompson: Founder and first Secretary, Thomas Hardy. Significant as it was the first convening for a discussion on Parliamentary Reform by men such as Tradesmen, Shopkeepers and Mechanics who asked the question: 'Are you thoroughly persuaded that the welfare of these kingdoms require that every adult person, in possession of his reason, and not incapacitated by crimes, should have a vote for a Member of Parliament?' And they were.[2]

References

1. Historic England, "The Old Bell public house (1211790)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 1 October 2014
2. Thompson, Edward, Palmer (1963). The Making of the English Working Class. Introduction by Michael Kenny. Penguin. pp. Introduction.