“Once a hub, now reborn.” That’s the story of SAFA House. Today, we stand before SAFA House. It is at 28 Arklow Road.
SAFA House has a rich history. It began as the Welcome Institute in 1890. The Welcome Institute served the workers of J. Stone and Co’s Brass, Copper and Iron Works. Stone’s factory was nearby on Arklow Road.
Imagine this place bustling with activity. The Welcome Institute had a concert room. It also had a gymnasium, a reading room, and a library. Workers enjoyed a coffee bar and dining rooms here.
Stone’s workers had an active social life. They formed cricket and football teams. Draughts and chess clubs were popular. A swimming club used the baths in Laurie Grove SE14. The Welcome Institute Athletic Club hosted wrestling bouts.
Did you know they even had a rowing club? By 1890, the Welcome Institute Rowing Club was on the Thames. This club eventually became the Globe Rowing Club. It is still thriving in Greenwich today. The Welcome Institute also boasted a brass band. Flower shows and a debating society met here. The venue hosted community events. The New Cross and Deptford Amateur Gardeners Society met here. A meeting established the New Cross and Deptford People’s Co-operative Society.
In the 1920s, Lady Florence Pelham-Clinton bought the building. She renamed it Florence House. This was part of her charitable work. Lady Florence had been involved with the Deptford Fund and Albany Institute. After a disagreement, she established the Lady Florence Institute. It had premises on Arklow Road and Deptford Broadway. The Institute used the building until the 1970s.
In the 1980s, SAFA House transformed again. It became an African Caribbean club and boxing gym. Locals remember it as a community center. Weekends meant reggae and dub sessions. Jamaican artist Nitty Gritty performed here. Local sound systems like Saxon, Ghetto Tone, and Jah Shaka played here.
In the early 1990s, SAFA House was squatted. The Conscious Collective took over the empty building. They cleaned, redecorated, and repaired it. They installed a coffee bar. Performers, clowns, and bands ran arts workshops. They organized performance events. The squat became known as Lady Flo’s.
The Collective faced eviction in April 1992. They held a street party outside. A bemused bailiff was greeted with tribal rhythms. Lewisham Council sold the building. Its 100-year history as a social venue ended.
The building was sold in 2017. Planning permission was granted in 2018. The plan was to convert it into flats. The frontage would be retained. New housing would wrap around it. A coffee shop might return to the ground floor. This would echo its original use.
Today, SAFA House is a collection of modern apartments. These apartments offer modern living. Kitchens feature integrated appliances and quartz stone worktops. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the spaces with light. It is located near New Cross and Deptford train stations. Deptford Market Yard is a short walk away.
SAFA House stands as a reminder of Deptford’s history. It has evolved. It has served many purposes. From a social institute to a music venue to modern residences, SAFA House continues to adapt. While much is known about its past, some mysteries remain. What does SAFA stand for? What activities took place during the Lady Florence Institute period? These questions invite further exploration into the history of SAFA House.