The Blue Flax canteen at Parliament Buildings in Stormont underwent refurbishment last summer at a final cost of £530,532. The initial budget set in 2022 stood at around £350,000. An internal document from May 2025 revised the estimate to £441,000.

The work covered builders' tasks, doors, floor finishes, joinery, furniture, appliances, light fixtures, and mechanical and electrical installations. Officials selected premium features such as fitted booth seating and reeded timber panelling from options provided by the lowest-cost bidder.

A new tender process sought a value-engineered design due to budget constraints. Contractors offered multiple finish choices. The Assembly Commission approved the original business case in October 2022 and learned of cost increases in December last year.

The Assembly Commission includes representatives from the five main parties and oversees Parliament Buildings operations. It noted that communications on the project needed improvement for future efforts.

Traditional Unionist Voice MLA Timothy Gaston called for a clear explanation of the overspend. He stated that officials recognised the need to control costs yet the project exceeded the budget substantially.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said the canteen required only basic updates. He questioned the expenditure level amid public service pressures.

The Northern Ireland Assembly attributed the higher costs to inflationary pressures and rising material costs. It followed public sector procurement principles with a competitive process to balance quality and economy. The canteen had seen a minor refresh in 2008 and no major update since 1998.