Greene King has reopened The Albert on Victoria Street in central London following a £1 million refurbishment of the historic pub.
The investment has included improvements to the building’s exterior and interior, with the pub company retaining its Victorian architectural features while updating facilities for customers.
The Grade II-listed property, located close to the Palace of Westminster, is among the remaining Victorian buildings on Victoria Street and forms part of Greene King’s managed pub estate.
The refurbishment has included improvements to the pub’s exterior, with new signage, brickwork and architectural detailing designed to complement the original building.
Inside, the pub’s collection of portraits of former politicians and royal memorabilia has been reorganised and incorporated into the refurbished interior.
Additional customer seating has been introduced, alongside improvements to the bar areas and kitchens.
Accessibility has also formed part of the refurbishment, with changes to the internal layout intended to improve movement throughout the pub and the addition of an accessible toilet.
The second floor has been redesigned from an events space into an extension of the main pub, providing additional room for customers to eat, drink and socialise.
Jodie Tate, Chief Operating Officer for Greene King, said:
“The Albert has always been an important part of Greene King pubs and its location in the heart of Victoria makes it a go-to pub for those travelling in and out of Westminster.
“This £1m investment has enabled us to elevate this historically-significant site – which has stood proud on Victoria St since 1862 and retains its House of Commons Division Bell, which would call MPs back to the Palace of Westminster – into one of the jewels in our crown.
“We’ve retained the charm of the Albert, preserving a slice of Victoriana amongst the skyscrapers, whilst transforming it for the modern-day guest, whether they’re visiting for drinks, dinner, business meetings or to enjoy live sport.”
The Albert traces its history to the 19th century, when it operated as a gin palace serving customers in the Westminster area.
Among its historic features is a parliamentary division bell, originally connected to the Palace of Westminster and used to alert MPs that a vote was taking place.
The bell enabled MPs visiting the pub to return to the House of Commons in time to participate in parliamentary divisions.
The pub also houses the Prime Minister’s Gallery, featuring portraits and photographs of former British prime ministers, reflecting its longstanding association with Westminster and political life.
The reopening forms part of Greene King’s wider programme of investment in its London pub estate.
In September 2026, the company announced plans to invest approximately £15 million across 39 London pubs during the year, with projects focused on updating facilities while retaining the historical character of established venues.
The Albert was among the properties identified for investment under the programme, alongside the Shakespeare’s Head in Soho and the Glassblower in Piccadilly.
The latest refurbishment brings improvements to customer facilities, accessibility and trading space while maintaining the architectural features associated with the historic Westminster pub.
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