Around 100 people gathered to herald a new era for Shepherd Neame’s landmark London pub, the Westminster Arms, re-opened following a £1.2 million refurbishment.
Tonia Antoniazzi, Gower MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, pulls the first pint at the re-opening
The historic building, a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament, has been renovated throughout all of its five floors.
“This is a moment that makes Shepherd Neame very proud and, I hope, the industry, too,” said Shepherd Neame chief executive, Jonathan Neame. “I hope this is the beginning of a new and wonderful era for this outstanding pub.
“This industry, possibly more than any other, is about people — people make pubs. And the team here are so passionate about serving you.”
Left to right at the re-opening of the pub are: Shepherd Neame operations manager Ryan Torrie, All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group chair Tonia Antoniazzi, pub general manager Augustus Jankauskas, Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame, and Maggie’s chief executibe Dame Laura Lee
Tonia Antoniazzi, Gower MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, who pulled the first official pint, said: “It’s an honour to be here, and to join you in celebrating the reopening of this unique pub. This is a great place to come and meet people and be in each other’s company.”
The pub team is now led by Augustas Jankauskas, and includes long-serving team members, such as Francois Dechamps, who has worked there for 25 years. Previous general manager, Gerry Dolan, who ran the pub for 30 years before retiring last year, was among the assembled guests.
To mark the occasion, Jonathan Neame presented a cheque for £1,000 to Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of the charity Maggie’s. It provides free expert cancer care and support in centres built beside NHS hospitals, including in London at Bart’s, the Royal Free, and Charing Cross.
