London College of Furniture (1964-1990)

 In 1964, the London College of Furniture (LCF) emerged from its precursor institutions, the Shoreditch Technical Institute (1899-1951) and the Technical College for the Furnishing Trades (1951-1964). Courses ranged from (inter alia) cabinet making, upholstery, wood machining and musical instrument construction and during the 1960s student numbers, and course provision, expanded rapidly.

The original accommodation on Pitfield Street soon became inadequate and plans were made to move the LCF to new premises at 41-71 Commercial Road, Stepney.Occupation took place in 1971 and the new building was officially opened in 1972. By 1975 there were approximately 500 full time and sandwich students and 1000 part timers, in three main divisions: Furniture, Interior Design and Musical Instruments.

During the 1980s the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) attempted to involve the LCF in its plans to create a single London Institute out of the several art and technical colleges which it ran. The LCF was reluctant however, as staff and students felt that its profile was unsuitable to merger within the proposed London Institute, and that instead its future would be best served by an alliance with the City of London Polytechnic.

The LCF joined the Polytechnic as part of the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Design and Manufacture in 1990. The Polytechnic became London Guildhall University in 1992.