Inspiration for author given grade II status by John Penrose

A workhouse reputed to be the inspiration for the workhouse in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist has been given a grade II listing by heritage minister John Penrose.

The 18th century former Strand Union Workhouse was completed by 1778 becoming the workhouse of The Strand Poor law union in 1836 before being turned into an infirmary in the late 19th century.

Originally known as the Covent Garden Workhouse, it was until recently the outpatients department of the Middlesex Hospital.
Penrose added: “We know that it is the sole survicor of workhouses that were operating in the capital when Dickens wrote his famous novel and that as a young man he had lived just nine doors from it.

“It is undoubtedly an important and interesting part of our history and heritage and deserves the extra protection that listing provides.”