The Irish prime minister will officially open a Grade II listed building in Newham next month.

Enda Kenny will visit the former Gallion Hotel during a visit to the capital to meet with David Cameron.

The building closed in 1972 and remained empty until December last year when it re-opened following extensive restoration work.

It now houses The Reach Bar and Kitchen, which is headed up by chef Mickael Chalopin who has worked with the likes of Michel Roux Snr.

Andrea Britton, from The Reach, said Mr Kenny had a “soft spot” for the building and jumped at the chance to officially re-open it.

The hotel, which was built between 1881 and 1883 for P&O, originally catered for passengers waiting to embark on the liners berthed in the Royal Albert Dock.