A winter snowstorm couldn't stop Premier Ewart Brown from opening Government's new Bermuda London Office yesterday.

The facility is designed to give the Island better connections with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British MPs and make it easier for officials to get in touch with their counterparts in the UK.

Many confirmed guests were unable to make the ceremony because of gridlock caused by a storm described by the media as the country's worst in 18 years.

Dr. Brown said in a press release: "This office represents the mechanism we need to further develop our relationships with public officials in the United Kingdom.

"We are now on equal footing with other Overseas Territories who have consistently proven that a physical presence in London provides a benefit to the people they serve.

"From here forward Bermuda is better prepared to connect with the appropriate people in the United Kingdom on whatever issues may occur."

UK Overseas Territories Minister Gillian Merron said in a statement: "I congratulate the Government of Bermuda on the opening of its first London Office. This is an important first step which will raise Bermuda's profile in London and send out a positive message in these difficult economic times."

About two dozen guests attended including former UK Minister and MP Meg Munn, former Governor Sir John Vereker, Lady Vereker and Andrew Tuggey of the UK Branch Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Director of Overseas Territories' affairs at the FCO Colin Roberts said in a statement: "The wealthy and sophisticated island of Bermuda has achieved great success in tourism and specialised insurance in recent decades.

"But even Bermuda is going to feel the global recession. An instinctive reaction to recession is a retreat by others into defensive shells, caution and even a hankering for protectionism.

"I know that at this time Bermuda will want to articulate to her UK audience the considerable value which the Island adds to the world's financial system in its chosen specialized areas of finance, and to promote tourism and to speak up on the strength of the regulatory framework.

"An active office in London under dynamic leadership, promoting both business and tourism, will be a big advantage."