Beyond The Keyhole Of HMRC's Customs House


Part of the Open House London Weekend

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will take part in ‘Open House London 2015’ on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2015, 9.30am to 4pm. This event runs over one weekend and offers people the chance to visit buildings of modern and historic architectural interest that may otherwise not be open to the public.

Custom House, which is one of HMRC’s most historical buildings, will open its doors to the public as part of the event.

Among its many interesting features, the Georgian building boasts a 58-metre neoclassical Long Room that was the central reporting point for all London Customs business in the 19th century.

This year's event will allow visitors to tour the building and learn about the successful work of HMRC in tackling fraud and organised crime. There will be demonstrations from HMRC’s Road Fuel Testing Unit and a presentation on the history of the Custom House and the previous Custom Houses which have stood on the same site in previous centuries. Border Force officers will show the work of detection dogs and have a display of some of the more exotic items seized at UK borders. Children will be able to participate in a fun quiz.

Simon York, Director of Fraud Investigation Service for HMRC, said:
"Over the last few years, Custom House has grown in popularity as one of London’s historic buildings – with a significant number of people coming through the door. During last year’s event we broke all records with a remarkable 6,060 visitors choosing Custom House as one of their key places of interest.
”So if you wish to be part of Open House London weekend please come along and find out more about the fascinating activities taking place in Custom House."


September 9, 2015