Building History
Our building was originally the Nuneaton Conservative Club, which opened in 1898. It sits within the Nuneaton Town Centre conservation area ‘Character Area 1: Market Place and Historic Commercial Core’.
About the Architect - Charles W. Smith MSA
The conservative club building was designed by architect ‘Charles W. Smith. You can see the designs pictured here in the Architectural Review in 1898.
it is interesting to note that the original building did not have the stage on the first floor or the shop unit on the ground floor which we now have today. This whole side of the building was an extension which we believe was added in the 1910's.
Smith was also the architect who designed Nuneaton’s first municipal building, which was situated on Queens Road. The municipal building hosted council offices, but also the fire station on the ground floor, and also the only ladies lavatory in the town centre at the time that it was built. This building was later turned into a library when the offices moved to the town hall in 1934. It has since been demolished.
Not much is known about Smith, but we have learned that he may have come from Norfolk. For now we will keep searching for more information on this elusive architect!
The building through history
In speaking with local people and researching the building throughout the years we've heard some brilliant stories of how the space has been used by the community.
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Reproduced from the “Our Warwickshire” website © “Warwickshire County Record Office”
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The Civil Defence used the hall for meetings in the Second World War
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A weightlifting club once operated out of the cellar
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There was once restaurant in the cellar named ‘The Eaton Grill’. Many people have fond memories of eating or working there
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The Nuneaton Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society used to perform musicals in the hall, with a full orchestra
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Many remember Jean Raynor’s pantomimes performed in the hall in the 60s
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The Women’s League of Health and Beauty ran sessions in the hall in the 60s and 70s including exercise classes to music
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Many people had their wedding receptions and birthday parties in the hall
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The Nuneaton Borough Football club held ‘variety’ style shows for charity in the hall
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The Burma Star Association held annual dinners in the hall
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The Nuneaton Festival of Arts used the hall for many years
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Many went to the hall for dance lessons over the years
St Georges Hall - keeping the memories alive
Many will remember the first floor hall in the old Conservative Club as 'St Georges Hall'. It operated for many years as a hub of culture and community, hosting many events and celebrations.
When we took over the premises the hall had long fallen out of use. In 2025 we completed a restoration of the space, and it was reopened and dedicated as the 'George Müller Hall', after a philanthropist who set up the UK's first free of charge orphanages. George Müller was known for ensuring the children in his care got a good education, and paid tuition for a many of them himself.
We chose to rededicate the hall as the George Müller Hall, to signify a new era for the hall, for it to be used for the benefit of local people in need. George’s ethos of social reform reflects our charitable aims for the Saints project, of helping those facing deprivation and disadvantage.
Though the hall has a new name for this new era, we are passionate about preserving the history that has come before. We are working on collecting stories and memories from when the space operated as St Georges Hall, to create a display in the hall and on this website, to keep the memories of the space alive for generations to come.
Do you have a story or memory to share?
If you have a story or memory of St Georges Hall, or the old Nuneaton Conservative Club building, we would love to hear from you!
Simply fill in the form and we'll get back to you.