Parliament move could be blow to Westminster pub

MPs are set to move to a temporary chamber at Richmond House in Whitehall, the former Department of Health headquarters, in a few years, as urgent refurbishments at the Palace of Westminster are carried out.

Plans unveiled this week show this would mean an implementation of security barriers in the area of Whitehall around the Red Lion pub because it would join the parliamentary estate.

The pub is a known haunt for MPs and political journalists, and was reopened after a revamp by then Chancellor George Osborne in 2014.

A spokesperson for pubco Fuller’s said discussions were ongoing about how to reduce any detrimental impact on the pub’s thriving custom.

Restrictions certain

They said: “We are in discussions with the relevant committees dealing with the proposals for a temporary home for parliament and the impact that might have on our freehold pub, the Red Lion.

“While we appreciate that works to the Palace of Westminster are required, we are very concerned about the possible negative consequences these works could have on such a wonderful, highly successful pub.

“It’s fair to say there will definitely be restrictions on the day-to-day running of the pub both during construction and due to the likely security precautions when parliament is sitting in its temporary home, which will be detrimental to the pub.

“However, our priority is to minimise the impact on the pub as far as possible and we will update our team and our customers as and when we have further information.”

Another pub, the St Stephen’s Tavern, would also be consumed within the parliamentary estate. Its pubco Hall & Woodhouse was unable to comment on what the move would mean for the site.