Downing Street, the historic London residence long serving as the official workplace of the British prime minister, has come under renewed scrutiny for its suitability as a government hub. Lord Richard Walker, former cost-of-living tsar under Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and chairman of retailer Iceland, has called for the building to be repurposed as a museum or converted into residential flats, describing it as "not fit for purpose."

Constructed in the early 18th century, Downing Street has been the centre of British government since George II granted the building to Sir Robert Walpole, regarded as the nation’s first prime minister, in 1735. Lord Walker criticized the Tudor-era architecture, pointing out the difficulty officials face in using its small, fragmented meeting spaces, which he said hamper collaborative work. He highlighted the building’s cramped rooms, its uneven floor levels, and structural hazards as key concerns.

Other former Downing Street insiders have echoed these sentiments. Darren Jones, who served as chief secretary to Sir Keir Starmer, described it as "mad" to run the government from a townhouse dating back to the 1680s. He suggested that the building’s use be limited to Cabinet meetings and hosting visiting dignitaries. Guto Harri, former director of communications under Boris Johnson, also labeled the premises "hopeless," while Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair’s former chief of staff and current national security adviser, lamented not relocating Blair’s operation to the QEII conference centre in Whitehall for more modern facilities.

Officials' grievances reportedly extend beyond space constraints, including persistent poor phone signals and general inadequacies for contemporary government work. Historical challenges with the condition of Downing Street have been longstanding. In 1957, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan commissioned the independent Crawford Committee to investigate the dilapidated state of the buildings. The report revealed extensive water damage and severe structural weaknesses affecting the timber foundations and walls, which consisted largely of rubble and timber rather than robust brickwork. These conditions promoted dry rot and insect infestations, complicating efforts to maintain the complex.

Significant restoration work followed, delaying Macmillan’s return to Downing Street until September 1963. Despite these renovations, criticism of the building’s suitability continues into the present, fueled by concerns over space, technology, and structural limitations inherent in a heritage property.

Downing Street houses not only the prime minister’s office but also includes 11 Downing Street, the Chancellor’s official residence, and 12 Downing Street, used for strategic communications. No 10 Downing Street officials were contacted for comment but have not issued a public response regarding the recent critiques.