The Newsroom

Downing Street Briefing Room

First pictures (March 2021)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
VA
valley
I wonder how much the Covid Briefing Room cost? What is that room used for generally?


Wouldn't have cost much. The lecterns they already had, the TV they probably also already had.

I think the room is usually used for events.

The fact the Covid briefing broadcasting is being done by BBC/Sky/ITN on a pool arrangement would have a significant impact on the cost.

And the Covid briefing room is the State Dining Room, I believe.
WH
what
I wonder how much the Covid Briefing Room cost - what is that room used for normally?

Cost £2.6m according to ITV.


Source: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-03-15/exclusive-first-pictures-of-downing-street-white-house-style-media-briefing-room
MA
Markymark
I wonder how much the Covid Briefing Room cost? What is that room used for generally?


Wouldn't have cost much. The lecterns they already had, the TV they probably also already had.

I think the room is usually used for events.


By the look of the cost, and the pictures, there's probably a production gallery associated. Quite a few Sony BRC HD cameras in those shots, lighting grid, probably 3 or 4 equipment bays, air con in the gallery and equipment room, but 2.6 million still sounds a bit high though.

Megahertz are unlikely to have supplied the podium and room furniture (expect the gallery desk) A photo of the gallery and equipment bays would tell us more.
VA
valley
what posted:
I wonder how much the Covid Briefing Room cost - what is that room used for normally?

Cost £2.6m according to ITV.


Source: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-03-15/exclusive-first-pictures-of-downing-street-white-house-style-media-briefing-room

Brekkie was asking about the covid briefing room - the one currently in use - not this new one.
IN
Independent
I found a photo of what it used to look like.


TR
trivialmatters
I always found it weird that the centre of our government didn’t have a proper briefing room like this so I’m not mad about it, though the cost is eye watering.

Interesting to see they lowered the ceiling when they put in the lighting rig. I think it all actually looks OK but I would have perhaps retained one or two more original features from the room such as those hanging lights and maybe the wooden government crest which was above that doorway.
BR
Brekkie
I found a photo of what it used to look like.



When Heritage Renovations Go Horribly Wrong - coming soon to Channel 5.
DT
DTV
I always found it weird that the centre of our government didn’t have a proper briefing room like this


Well we did have 'briefing rooms' before, just not for television. Lobby briefings have previously taken place in a special room in the Palace of Westminster or a basement room in 10 Downing Street (which used to be part of the kitchens). These were fitted out for non-televised briefings. When the PM has done press conferences (pre-Covid) they were typically done in the Pillared Drawing Room or the State Dining Room (the Covid press conference room).

The problem with Whitehall has always been a space issue, nearly every room is occupied as office space and any room of size has some historical significance and so converting it was always going to raise some objections. The only recent time they could really have built a bespoke briefing room from scratch was during the rebuilding of Downing Street in the early 1960s, but that probably wasn't a priority then as the Downing Street Press Office was in its infancy.

From what I can work out, this new press conference room is in what used to be known as the Privy Council chamber. At roughly 12m x 10.5m, it is slightly larger than the State Dining Room at 12.5m x 7.5m.
UTVLifer and scottishtv gave kudos
JA
james-2001
I found a photo of what it used to look like.



When Heritage Renovations Go Horribly Wrong - coming soon to Channel 5.


Commented on by people who hadn't seen it until just before they were put in front of the camera to talk about it.
SP
Spencer
I thought this was a revamped set for Judge Rinder's courtroom when I first saw it.
LondonViewer and Brekkie gave kudos
WH
what
I thought this was a revamped set for Judge Rinder's courtroom when I first saw it.

Judge Rinder was actually trending on Twitter when the briefing room was unveiled
SP
Spencer
what posted:
I thought this was a revamped set for Judge Rinder's courtroom when I first saw it.

Judge Rinder was actually trending on Twitter when the briefing room was unveiled


Ha - trust me for thinking I’d had an original thought!

Newer posts