It sounded like a capital idea: a lavish hospitality venue at this year's Olympics, to attract celebrities, top businessmen and "international opinion-formers" to London and its own games in 2012.
But the London House is now homeless after the Chinese authorities informed organisers that they could no longer use Ritan Park, a picturesque landmark in the heart of Beijing, as planned.
It is thought the authorities plan to station security forces in the park as part of a drive to ensure that the games take place undisturbed by violence or protests.
Boris Johnson has already cut £1.2m from the £4.6m budget for the London House and last month said he had considered axing it altogether.
The news follows the London mayor's cancellation of the Bus to Beijing - the £450,000 plan to drive a Routemaster from London to the Chinese capital.
Organisers are still hoping to secure another site. "We are looking at another venue which we hope to secure by next week," said the London Development Agency, which is leading the project.
President Hu Jintao has stressed that stability is the top priority in the runup to and during the Olympics, which begin on August 8. Yesterday the state media reported the launch of a nationwide campaign to prevent unrest.
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