Taberner House

Croydon Council's Taberner House offices

Taberner House houses the main offices of Croydon London Borough Council. It is located in Croydon, London, close to the old town hall, now known as the Croydon Clocktower.

History

Taberner House was built between 1964 and 1967, designed by architect H. Thornley, with Allan Holt and Hugh Lea as borough engineers. Although the Croydon Corporation had needed extra space since the 1920s, it was only with the imminent creation of the London Borough of Croydon that action was taken. It has its elegant upper slab block narrowing towards both ends. It was named after Ernest Taberner OBE, Town Clerk from 1937 to 1963.

On Wednesday 10 November 2004 a 28-year-old man was arrested in connection with arson and public order offences following a fire at Taberner House. Staff were evacuated from the building for three hours after smoke was spotted coming from a ground floor toilet. The man was bailed to return to Croydon police station at a later date pending further inquiries .

Building use

Taberner House houses most of the council's central employees and its 'one-stop shop' is the main location for the public to access information and services. In 2013 All of the council's services will move to the new PSDH (Public Services Delivery Hub) being built next to Taberner House. The build cover's move ground space but only rises 14 storeys on the highest core. No exact use has been approved for Taberner House when it closes, but its demolish is to happen and there is speculation that affordable housing will be build there, again as a high rise tower.