Two NAEA Propertymark meetings went ahead as planned yesterday in the heart of Westminster, in the office at The Sanctuary.

The building is a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament and next to Westminster Abbey.

NAEA Propertymark chief executive Mark Hayward said that the scene yesterday was of deserted streets patrolled by police with a plethora of TV crews and assorted media.

Hayward said: “The attendees at the two meetings came voluntarily, determined not to be swayed by the threat of terrorism.

“We have no plans to vacate the premises.”

The RICS headquarters, which was evacuated on Wednesday afternoon and remained closed all day yesterday, will partially reopen tomorrow. The enormous building faces the Houses of Parliament.

A spokesperson told us: “Today, we will open the offices to London-based staff only with alternative access arrangements. Due to the alternative access arrangements it will not be practical for us to open the full building to those not ordinarily based there.

“Security and travel restrictions are expected to last several days in the immediate area and we continue to be in close contact with the police and security services over the earliest possible opportunity for us to resume normal operations.”