A bride-to-be has directly appealed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to avoid visiting his new 'No10 North' office in Manchester on her wedding day, expressing concern that heightened security would detract from her ceremony. Saz Burwin shared a TikTok video asking Burnham to hold off on visiting the Heron House office on August 21, fearing the presence of security personnel and police would spoil her 'nice photos'.
Burnham, who opened the temporary office on July 24 and described it as the 'best day of my life,' responded to Burwin's social media post with a simple "Noted Saz...". The Prime Minister had arrived at Heron House via government jet after attending the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
He defended the cost of the office and the accompanying security operation, arguing it would save money compared to officials traveling to London for meetings. "What does it cost for everybody to troop down to London every time there's a meeting when you need to make an argument about something?" Burnham stated.
Heron House, located in Manchester city centre, is currently used by GCHQ and also houses the Manchester Register Office, where dozens of weddings are believed to take place weekly. Burwin noted that on the day Burnham opened the office, the building was surrounded by police and security measures, which she worried would ruin the atmosphere for her wedding.
"I'm actually getting married there," Burwin said in her video. "And on the news today the place was surrounded by police, bollards, all that stuff that wasn't there before."
Burnham's decision to establish a part-time base in Manchester is part of his broader initiative to devolve power away from Westminster. While a permanent site for 'No10 North' is slated for completion in 2032, the government is currently utilizing Heron House as a temporary location. The building, constructed between 1979 and 1982, features a mock No10 front door in its foyer, originally created for an art installation.
Concerns have been raised about the potential cost of the security measures, with experts suggesting the bill for round-the-clock armed police and office fortification could amount to tens of millions of pounds annually, though Downing Street has stated there will be no additional running costs for staff.
The Cabinet Office has advertised positions for social media and communications roles based in both London and Manchester, indicating a broader decentralization effort.