The Refurbed Sports - And The Extra Room

One thing about the MPs returning to Parliament is that we get some of our cafes and bars back which have long been shut - due to staff not being required to eat or drink during recess periods.

I much look forward to going into Bellamy's cafe this week and seeing if the sparkling decor is still matched by the transport cafe style food that old time staffers have come to know and love - nay, depend on.

But last night we decided to pop into the refurbed Sports & Social Bar over in the House. Unlike many of the staffers in Parliament, we even waited till after we had finished work.:-)

At first glance, the Sports is pretty much the same as it used to be...just a lot cleaner. But there are a few subtle changes:

+ New staff. Some under the age of 30. Unbelievable.

+ A new dart board, oche and darts in the room round the back (see pic above) - which still didn't prevent the old school "bounce outs" as I thoroughly trounced our new intern with a clinical 19, double 9 finish.

+ An extra room attached to the darts room (see pic below) - which I believe is for people to play pool in. One slight problem is that there isn't a pool table in the room yet...which some people may find hinders their chances of actually playing pool to a decent level.

Apparently the extra room used to be a kitchen - and hopefully the pool table will arrive next Monday. Although maybe there will be a musical interlude in the meantime as there seems to be boxes full of electronic organs and other musical equipment stacked up against the wall.

One of the main problems regulars will also encounter is that the main entrance - situated just along from the florists and the Lords Bar entrance is now permanently shut. This means not only that access between the Lords Bar and Sports of an evening will be hampered (or indeed people wanting to buy their partner a bouquet of flowers to apologise for coming home 3 hours later than planned, reeking of booze), but that to get to the gents toilets you have to go half way round the world to get there. Well, walk at least an extra 20 foot. Which is just a pain.

Anyway, don't take my word for it. Get yourself down there and have a look.*

(*If you have security clearance, a pass and it's not during working hours. Obviously. :-/)
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