New housing development unveiled as Sarah Chapman House

The site which is currently under construction in Bow West has been named after Sarah Chapman who was one of the strike leaders of the Matchgirls Strike 1888.
The name for the nine new council homes and community facility was originally suggested by local resident Colum McGinley who was fascinated by East London history and in particular, Sarah’s story.

Sarah was born in 1862 and lived in the East End all her life. She joined her mother and older sister as a worker at the Bryant and May factory as a teenager and after suffering horrible working conditions, played a central role in the strike action, which led to New Unionism. This was one of the first hallmark wins for workers’ rights in the UK today with Sarah going on to represent her new union as a delegate at the TUC.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets Council, said:

“It’s fitting that we are naming these new council homes after Sarah Chapman to allow her name to live on. The Matchgirls Strike of 1888 was a poignant movement of strike action within Tower Hamlets and its important stories like this can be continued to be told.”

“The delivery of these new council homes and community facility will benefit local residents in Bow West which I’m sure Sarah would be delighted about today.”

Sarah’s family, along with Colum McGinley, visited the site to unveil the name of the new development which is due to be completed in May 2022.

Ken Dearman, grandson of Sarah Chapman said:

“I am so happy that at long last my grandmother has a fitting memorial to recognise her part in the Matchgirls Strike of 1888 and her subsequent representation of the Matchmakers’ Union at the TUC.”

Carol Watts, great granddaughter of Sarah Chapman said:

“How pleased we are, as a family, that Sarah is being honoured for her contributions to the Matchgirls strike with the naming of this new community facility and affordable housing”.

Planning permission for the development was granted in May 2019 to Colliers with works starting in March 2020.

The development, which is being delivered as part of the Mayor’s commitment to deliver and identify 2,000 new council homes across the borough, will provide nine new council homes including 5x3 beds, 3x2 beds and 1x1 bed, a community facility on the ground floor and cycle storage.

Cllr Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“The story of Sarah Chapman will never be forgotten within this area of Tower Hamlets and the naming of this development acts as a reminder to the historic legacy she has left. These new council homes will deliver much needed housing for people on our housing waiting list, as well as the use of a community space for the area.”