Description:This article from the Evening Mail and Despatch from 1966 highlights typical examples of the operation of the colour bar in Britain. After the passing of the Race Relations Act in 1965 complaints could be made to the Race Relations Board against establishments operating discriminatory practices. The Indian Workers Association archive contains correspondence regarding instances of racial discrimination experienced by members that were taken to the Race Relations Board. Unfortunately the law was limited: both employment and housing were not covered by the Act and the function of the Race Relations Board was merely conciliatory since racial discrimination had not been declared a criminal offence. This would change in years to come.
In Birmingham, the Birmingham Corporation took steps under the 1965 Act to remove racial discrimination from local hotels. Hotel owners were asked to sign a declaration that they did not operate a colour bar; any that refused would forfeit their inclusion in the Corporation's official accommodation list (Birmingham Post 22nd February 1967.)The Gillott Lodge Hotel in Edgbaston, which received much local media attention, was the first to be struck off the Corporation list.
Author: Sarah Dar