1834
1834

Guildford Mechanics Institute founded

The organisation was founded as part of a nation-wide response to the demands of the Industrial Revolution and social change.  Its aim was “to promote useful knowledge amongst the working classes”.
1843
1843

The Guildford Institute formed

Guildford Institute Lecture

The original Guildford Mechanics Institute merged with the Literary and Scientific Institution for Mechanics and Others.

1881
1881
1891
1891
1892
1892

Guildford Working Men’s Institute amalgamated with The Guildford Institute and moved to Ward Street

In the same year, a library extension with classrooms on the upper floors were added. The Library and the well-stocked and used Reading Room for newspapers and periodicals gave the Institute an important status in the town.

1893
1893
1896
1896

The Chess Club was formed

Although not the oldest club in the country, it is believed to be the longest running chess club to have met continuously at the same venue.

1903
1903

The Institute continues to thrive and the number of members reached 1576

Members included 370 ladies, 72 shop assistants and 532 artisans

1912
1912

The Keep first published

The Keep Logo

The Institute’s journal, now published twice-yearly and received by members.

1918
1918

Number of Members rise to an all-time peak

During the First World War refugees coming into the town queued up to join and membership rose to 1,800.

1924
1924

Library becomes open access

Borrowers were then allowed to enter the Library and pick out their own books instead of having them handed over personally by the Librarian.

1934
1934

Centenary of The Guildford Mechanics Institute

To commemorate this anniversary a plaque was unveiled which read “For 100 years this Institute has provided opportunity for reading and study for the inhabitants for this borough.”

1945
1945

The Guildford Institute faced the post-war world

The Institute suffered a decline and membership numbers began to fall. Commercial lending libraries, cinemas and radio broadcasting also contributed to loss of users.

1974
1974
1976
1976

Special meetings held to discuss the future of the Institute

The meetings showed that there was a strong will to keep the Institute going in spite of the difficulties.

1978
1978
1982
1982

The Institute merged with the University of Surrey

The future of the Institute was assured by a merger with the University of Surrey which became a Trustee of the building.  The University assisted in managing the Institute and ran many of its part-time courses in the building.

1982

Opening of the Friday Beano

Jean Bridger (member of The Guildford Institute) alongside two friends, had the idea of opening Guildford’s only vegetarian restaurant.

1991
1991
2008
2008

The University of Surrey ceased all involvement with The Guildford Institute

Split from GI

This resulted in the loss of support from services such as Estates & Buildings Management, Human Resources, Accounts and IT. All the GI staff who were employees of the University were made redundant.

2008

Board of Trustees elected

The Board shared a wealth of academic and administrative experience as well as business acumen. They devised a strategy for the future, including plans for the redevelopment of the building.

2008

A team of volunteers was established

Volunteers manned the Reception desk, and helped out with various administrative tasks. The Library also became run by a volunteer team.

2012
2012

Building redevelopment project begins

Mike Adams

Generous donations, grants and loans allowed huge improvements to the building, including moving the office to a more visible location, improving library and kitchen facilities and a more modern entrance way. The building was also made more accessible with the installation of a lift and ground floor toilet.

2012
2013
2013
2017
2017
2018
2018

The Beano closes

After 36 years of serving home-made vegetarian food, the current owners retire and the restaurant closes.

2019
2019

V Café continues vegetarian restaurant tradition

Nick and Ian

Nick Humble and Ian Ioffel carry on the long legacy of producing freshly-cooked vegetarian and vegan food in The Guildford Institute’s historic Assembly room.