The institute's staircase was made by Macfarlane, Glasgow, Wrought Ironwork was by Cormell Cheltenham and the carvings were by J Willis.

[5] It opened its doors on 15 October 1868 following a procession to Ancre Hill, then the home of Matilda Jones, of working men headed by a Military band and accompanied by the friendly Societies with their banners.

The books were transferred from St Johns Street where Matilda Jones had been offering a private room for reading.

[4] Another song which was sung at each general meeting was: Hurrah for the men who work According to Keith Kissack some of the lectures may have been hard going with a programme of 1892/3 a selection being Hommer, Drink Work & Wages, Queens English, The Family Circle, The Solar System, French Salons, Fossils, Egypt, The War of The Roses, Cathedrals in Britain Most of the lectures lasted about two hours and were followed by the chairman's remarks and thanks.

Its members used the building when distributing petitions in favor of Sunday Closing and that flower shows were an antidote to alcohol.