Open and shut: the Mayor’s new City Hall

LONDON’S new City Hall opened today — but just for a few hours as the building is only half-finished.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has moved the home of the Greater London Authority from its purpose-built home of 20 years beside Tower Bridge east to the Royal Docks, to a converted conference centre previously known as The Crystal. It was hosting the first Mayor’s Question Time from 10am — but was then due to close at 2pm to allow builders to continue their work.

The £14 million transformation of the building is not due to be completed until the end of next month, about five months behind schedule.

Mr Khan instigated the move in a bid to save cash. GLA officials claim the saving will be £61 million over five years but that is disputed by the London Assembly, the cross-party scrutiny body also based at the building. Susan Hall, leader of the GLA Conservatives, said the partial opening was a “ridiculous situation”. He colleague Neil Garratt said: “It’s a show opening.”

Mr Khan arrived at the new City Hall by public transport, having taken the Northern line from his south London home, followed by the Jubilee line to Canning Town and then the DLR to Royal Victoria station.

A second meeting is due to be held next week but the bulk of the GLA’s work will continue at the London Fire Brigade headquarters in Union Street, Southwark.