Whitechapel Bell Foundry

On November 9, 2019, Councillor Ehtasham Haque and Jill Wilson led a protest against the decision by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to redevelop the historic Whitechapel Bell Foundry into a boutique hotel. The foundry, which closed in June 2017 after nearly 450 years of operation, is renowned for casting iconic bells such as Big Ben and the Liberty Bell.

Haque and Wilson, alongside the East End Preservation Society, are urging the council to preserve this site of significant historical importance. The property, now owned by developer Raycliff, faces potential transformation that campaigners believe would erase a crucial part of East Londons heritage.

News Coverage

Controversial Plan to Redevelop Whitechapel Bell Foundry Given Green Light

A controversial plan to redevelop the historic Whitechapel Bell Foundry into a boutique hotel has been approved, despite objections from campaigners.

Opponents brand redevelopment plan for historic bell foundry a ‘travesty’

Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London is listed as Britain’s oldest manufacturing firm and produced Big Ben.

Bell tolls for 450-year-old foundry

The transformation of the foundry has ignited heated discussions between developers, local officials, and preservationists.

Anger at council plan to convert ancient bell foundry into boutique hotel

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to conserve Britain’s oldest bell foundry have condemned a council decision to let it be converted into a boutique hotel.