The Liberal Democrat Headquarters is the principal centre of operations and offices of the British Liberal Democrats. As of July 2021, the headquarters of the party are located at 1 Vincent Square, in Westminster.
The party's main headquarters are located within two miles of the Houses of Parliament, as are the Labour Party Headquarters and the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (formerly known as Conservative Central Office).
Scottish Liberal Democrats have their own headquarters, which are located at Clifton Terrace in Edinburgh, whilst the Welsh Liberal Democrats' headquarters are based at Bute Street, in Cardiff.
Locations (1988–present)
1988–2011: 4 Cowley Street
From its formation in 1988, the Liberal Democrats were based in 4 Cowley Street, a Grade II listed Edwardian mansion built in 1905. 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.
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."
2011–2021: 8–10 Great George Street
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. The building was first built in the 1930s with an 1800s Beaux-Arts exterior.
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.
2021–present: 1 Vincent Square
The headquarters moved to a single floor of 1 Vincent Square in 2021. It is also used by the English Liberal Democrats.
The office space totals 3,700 square feet (340 m). According to Siân Waddington, Director of Operations, it has been designed to give staff flexibility and enable "debate and collaboration", whilst reflecting the Liberal Democrats’ mission to create a “fairer, greener, more caring Britain”.
See also
References
- ^ "Liberal Democrat HQ – address, phone number and other contact details". MarkPack.org.uk. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- "Registration summary". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- "Contact Us". Welsh Liberal Democrats. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Prynn, Jonathan (2 November 2018). "Westminster mansion rented in £1m-a-year 'try before you buy' deal". Evening Standard. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Sheppard, Owen (31 October 2019). "Liberal Democrats' London offices set to be turned into a hotel". MyLondon. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Peldon Rose creates a people-centric hub for the Liberal Democrats". Peldon Rose. Retrieved 27 November 2024.