Leaf Hall

Leaf Hall is a grade II listed former working men's institute in Eastbourne, East Sussex. It was built in 1863–64 to a design by Robert Knott Blessley in a continental gothic style for the philanthropist William Leaf.^[1][2] It was closely associated with the temperance movement.^[3] The building now serves as a community arts centre.

Leaf Hall
Leaf Hall
Location	51 Seaside, Eastbourne
Coordinates	50°46′16″N 0°17′43″E
OS grid reference	TV6193399348
Area	East Sussex
Built	1864–1864
Architect	Robert Knott Blessley
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name	Leaf Hall
Designated	27 July 2017
Reference no.	1447081
Location of Leaf Hall in East Sussex

The foundation stone stated the building's purpose was "to promote the social, moral and spiritual welfare of the working classes of Eastbourne". The hall's facilities included a coffee room, lending library and reading room, smoking room, skittle yard and a lecture room capable of seating 200 people. In the absence of a local theatre the hall was used for staging visiting shows, including General Tom Thumb in 1865.^[4]

See also

• Listed buildings in Eastbourne