Carmen Signing Ceremony - a new home for the Livery Company

Rate this item
(1 Vote)
Carmen in 500th year sign with diocese for their new Livery Hall at St Dunstan's, Fleet Street. Carmen in 500th year sign with diocese for their new Livery Hall at St Dunstan's, Fleet Street.

History in the making as transport livery sign for their very own home in the heart of London.

Five hundred years in the making, Carmen livery of transport signed a 125-year lease today for their first proper home, at St Dunstan's in Fleet Street, London.

A new copper roof, lift access, lots of space for meetings in transport, the new hall of the Carmen was signed today and blessed by the Bishop.

Lights, lawyers, camera and action as documents signed for the new home of the livery of transport in the heart of London, a 500-year step on Friday 13th.

John Ratcliffe explained, ‘A relationship marked out by honour and friendship and the livery of transport.’

The Carmen have lived in various homes of other livery halls, Friday 13th was not unlucky as transport freemen and liverymen arrived in Fleet street for the historic signing.

Two floors in a Grade One listed church annex opposite the Temple and to the side of the Royal Courts of Justice.

Awaiting restoration, the building is to be ready in a year, a modern lift for eight, disabled ramp access, a boardroom, meeting room and offices. On top goes a brand new copper clad roof replacing the failing old one and falling inside the grade one listing.

The Carmen deal was four years in the making and sees a new charity platform that delivers the deal, VAT-free, with rates exemption and no property tax giving full benefit to the 500-year-old transport livery. Master of the Carmen, Marsha Rae-Ratcliffe announced, ‘this building will be our Carmen home.’  

2017 news oct carmen ratcliffe front welcome

Past Master Carmen, John Ratcliffe welcomes transport to the new front door of the livery in Fleet Street Friday 13th

2017 news oct carmen master ratcliffe welcome

Marsha-Rae Ratcliffe ‘This building will be our Carmen home
IoC