| Individual or organisational biography | The College for Distributive Trades was a technical training college in London. It was founded as the Westminster Day Continuation School in 1921. In 1929 it was renamed the School of Retail Distribution. In the 1930s it was known as the Technical Institute of Distributive Trades. At some time it fell into London County Council's jurisdiction. Around 1950 it was renamed possibly the Westminster College of Distributive trades and later as the College of Distributive Trades.
During the 1950s-1960s the College's main building was located at 107 Charing Cross Road, W.C.2, with some of its other departments including the department of Food Commodities at Eagle Court, Smithfield, E.C.1 and its offices at Westminster Bridge. The college also had its own library and restaurants as well as bookstalls.
The College was governed by a board of Governors many of whom were members of related trade unions and industries and had its own Principal. In 1961-1962 the College of Distributive Trades Principal was T Hamar Jones.
During the 1970s the College held some classses at Briset House, 6-9 Briset Street, London, EC1M.
Sometime before 1980 the College merged with the National College of Food and Technology, the successor to the Smithfield College.
In 1986 the college became part of the newly formed London Institute. In 1990 it merged with the London College of Printing [LCP] to form the London College of Printing and Distributive Trades. Before merging with LCP it was based at 30 Leicester Square and had departments in Display, Food Commodities, Management, Marketing and Advertising and Merchandising. |