Local MP asks Starmer to help 'keep Ally Pally competitive'

The prime minister said the government is providing almost £200m to preserve heritage buildings across the country

Alexandra Palace and (inset) Prime Minister Keir Starmer at PMQs today — Alexandra Palace and (inset) Prime Minister Keir Starmer in parliament today

A local MP challenged Sir Keir Starmer during prime minister’s questions today (Wednesday 11th) on the future of Alexandra Palace.

Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West was granted a question in the House of Commons and used it to ask about safeguarding the future of the “people’s palace”.

The Labour MP said: “This house legislated 126 years ago to make Alexandra Palace ‘available for the free use…of the public forever’, and last year Luke ‘the Nuke’ [Littler] changed darts forever by rewriting the record books. Today Ally Pally plays host to world championship darts, Masters snooker, Haringey Huskies and Haringey Greyhounds ice hockey, plus music, comedy, drama and more.

“Will the prime minister keep the palace competitive as the international venue for darts by supporting my campaign to raise a one-off public-private £500million investment for urgent capital improvements?”

The PM responded: “The people’s palace is an iconic British venue — a home for darts, snooker and world-class music. It is vital that we support brilliant venues that give so much to our cultural life.

“That is why we are providing almost £200m to preserve heritage buildings across the country, so that venues like Alexandra Palace can have a bright future.”

While still a thriving and iconic venue for sports, music and exhibitions, Alexandra Palace has struggled financially in recent years, with high spending on maintenance needed to keep the 153-year-old building open.

In 2023 the charitable trust which runs Alexandra Palace was awarded £550,000 to restore its historic east wing, although the scale and complexity of the repairs – with some of the internal walls found to be no longer in fit condition – led to an additional £195,000 grant being needed to support it.

Asked by HCP to explain more about her campaign, West said: “Today I asked the prime minister to help to ensure that the people’s palace can thrive as a world class venue.

“My campaign is about raising a one-off capital improvements investment working with the government and the private sector.”

The Labour MP added that she will be hosting a parliamentary roundtable on cultural infrastructure in June to highlight the value of iconic venues like Alexandra Palace to sport, culture and local economies. She will be inviting arts minister Ian Murray MP and sports minister Stephanie Peacock to attend.

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