Bristol Record Office, 43207/9/9/054

The Bruce Cole Institute, nowadays known as the Whitehall Pavillion, was built in 1912-13 to house social and recreational facilities for the workforce of the Packer's Chocolate Factory. It was named after Bruce Cole, who led Packer's from 1886 until his death in 1912, a period in which the company experienced its most successful growth. On the ground floor, the building provided changing rooms, bathrooms and other multi-purpose rooms. On the first floor, there was a large hall with a decorated plaster ceiling. Its stage was used for dances, theatre plays and a range of social events for the factory's employees. Moreover, the first floor also provided access to the large balcony overlooking the sports field. During the First World War, the building housed Belgian refugees and from 1916 onwards served as a Military Hospital. In the 1930s, when Packer's went through financial difficulties, the building was sold to the city council, who still owns it today. Nowadays, the building is used by the Old Georgians Social Club, but it is in desperate need of repair.

Early 20th Century