Liberal Democrat Headquarters (UK)
The Liberal Democrat Headquarters, often referred to as Lib Dem HQ, is the principal centre of operations and offices of the British Liberal Democrats. As of January 2023, the current headquarters of the party are located at 1 Vincent Square, in Westminster.[1]
Locations
[edit]1988–2011: 4 Cowley Street
[edit]
From its formation in 1988, the Liberal Democrats were based in 4 Cowley Street, a Grade II listed Edwardian mansion built in 1905.[2] The party signed a new lease on the building in 2000. Prior to the Liberal Democrats occupying the building, it had been the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party since 1981, and before that had also been the London and North Eastern Railway headquarters.[2][3]
In March 2011, the party announced they were planning to vacate Cowley Street. At the time, the party had been reducing staff numbers after entering government due to the loss of Short Money, though it denied that the move had been forced due to poor finances, stating that "more modern and more appropriate buildings" were needed and that "Cowley Street does not meet the staff numbers we have got."[3]
2011–2021: 8-10 Great George Street
[edit]The headquarters relocated to an office on a single floor of 8-10 Great George Street, Westminster in May 2011, close to Parliament Square. The Independent described the office as "minimalist" compared to the previous Cowley Street "rabbit warren", and compared it to offices seen in political comedy The Thick of It. The party intended for the open plan design to facilitate better communications.[4] The building was first built in the 1930s with an 1800s Beaux-Arts exterior.[5]
In October 2019, Westminster City Council gave planning permission for 8-10 Great George Street, which was still occupied by the Liberal Democrats at the time, to be converted into a 134-bed hotel.[5]
2021-present: 1 Vincent Square
[edit]The federal party HQ moved to a single floor of 1 Vincent Square in 2021. The office space is also used by the English Liberal Democrats. The Scottish Lib Dems and Welsh Lib Dems have their own registered headquarter offices.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Registration summary". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ a b Prynn, Jonathan (2 November 2018). "Westminster mansion rented in £1m-a-year 'try before you buy' deal". Evening Standard. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Liberal Democrats 'to quit Cowley Street headquarters'". BBC News. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ Chorley, Matt (21 May 2011). "Lib Dems move HQ from rabbit warren to 'The Thick of It'". The Independent. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ a b Sheppard, Owen (31 October 2019). "Liberal Democrats' London offices set to be turned into a hotel". MyLondon. Retrieved 24 January 2024.