Here’s what Parliament’s selling to swell its coffers
The Houses of Parliament are doing a roaring trade in the new official guidebook, with sales of the book giving a boost to retail takings at a time when money is tight for the Palace of Westminster.
The Westminster Hall shop, which offers mint creams and tea towels to visitors as well as books, made £235,000 in sales minus costs during the last financial year, up around 13 per cent from the prior year’s £208,044, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Palace of Westminster Official Guide is credited for driving some of this increase, offset by the “lower than expected sales over the Olympic period”, when visitors to the estate fell by 35,000 on the previous year.
Published in 2012 and described as a “very enjoyable read” by speaker John Bercow, the £20 book is currently out of stock in the parliamentary online shop – meaning you’ll have to take a trip to Westminster to get a copy.
Parliament was asked in 2010 to cut running costs by 17 per cent by the end of the next financial year. Money-making suggestions have included a paid-for tour of the Palace, better use of the book shop and renting out the palace’s rooms for private functions.
The trademark to the House of Commons, recently renewed, allows the name to be used on everything from hand lotion to pencil cases to treacle.
The House of Lords, meanwhile, is protected under trademark for some higher-end goods including cut crystal vases and glass candlesticks.
For anyone shopping for gifts, the House of Commons in a box is a sure-fire hit. Or perhaps some political fudge?
