TOKEN

Copper alloy oval token depicting Liverpool Dining Hall 5D dating 1863 to 1871. The length is 46mm, the width is 25mm and the weight 4.83g.
Based on the following two newspaper articles the Liverpool Dining Hall was in existence between 1863 and 1871. There are no further references to this after 1871.
"CHEAP DINNER MOVEMENT. The undertaking set on foot some time ago in Scotland, and more recently inaugurated in Liverpool, has received a stimulus and a most favourable opportunity for full development by the opening of the new "Liverpool Dining Hall," at the corner of Mason-street, Wapping. This is a large, well-lighted, carefully-ventilated room, conveniently furnished with neat benches and tables, sufficient for the accommodation of some hundreds of diners. During three hours in the middle of the day, a public dinner-an economical table-d'hote is provided at uniform rates, the greater portion of the building being set apart for that purpose. In the other sections of the hall dinner is served to order at the pleasure of the diners, but at rates equally moderate; and there are separate apartments nearly completed for the use of the gentler half of humanity. All possible care, in accordance with prudent business foresight, has been taken to provide against the possibility of over crowding or general discomfort. The manager is Mr. Baxter, and the matron Miss Watt both of whom have had an amount of practical experience of the working of the system in Scotland which ensures the efficient direction of affairs in this establishment. It will probably surprise most people to learn that the price charged for dinner in this hall is 4½d, and that the repast includes three courses-soup or broth, hot or cold beef, potatoes and plumb or rice pudding. The excellent quality of the viands attested by all who have tried them ; and the patrons the public dinner appear have a difficulty in restraining their admiration as they leave the hall. The manager assures that if the number of dinners served per day should reach 600 or 700 the undertaking will become self-supporting and prosperous ; its income repaying its current outlay, and paying a handsome percentage upon the original investment. The projectors are anxious that the public should fully understand that the object is to make this concern a business and not a charity. The gentlemen- who have advanced the money necessary give the project a fair start, we are informed, intend merely to set afloat and do their best to give it a firm basis as a commercial concern, and will allow it to succeed or fail according as the persons for whose benefit it has been set on foot find it worth their while to patronise it, and the receipts are healthy. The extent which it has so far proved successful warrants the belief that it will not fail in the end. Last Wednesday was the first day, and there were 40 customers; on Thursday there were nearly 30; on Friday the diners were about 140 ; and on Saturday the number was again very much larger. As the advantages offered become more widely known, the business should continue to extend; and at present there appears to be every chance of prosperity." [Liverpool Daily Post, 16 June 1863, p4]
"To be sold, the goodwill and fixtures of that old-established eating house, known as the "Liverpool Dining Hall", situate at No 2 Cornhill (late Mason Street), Wapping, Liverpool, doing a good business, conducted by the present proprietor for the last eight years, and who is now retiring from business and leaving Liverpool - Every information can be obtained on the premises and principals only treated with." [Liverpool Mercury, 15 July 1871, p2]

Numismatic data

No numismatic data has been recorded for this coin yet.