Manchester Cathedral is a stunning medieval venue which offers delegates an unforgettable experience.
It’s one of the oldest, most spectacular and spacious venues in the North. People who have attended events in Manchester Cathedral will never forget the experience as it is a stunning venue where medieval meets modern.
The cathedral is the oldest building in Manchester, dating back to 1421 and the reign of Henry V – almost 150 years before even Shakespeare was born – but is fully equipped for the 2020s and everyone who attends an event there waxes lyrical about it.
When this Grade I listed landmark was designed and built it was as a place of worship, but the architects unknowingly constructed a building that, 600 years later, can be split into a whole range of event spaces. And with sustainability so important, the venue is recognised as the greenest cathedral in Europe as the warmth inside is powered by a ground source heat pump.
For major events such as grand gala dinners, award ceremonies, brand launches, and fashion shows there is the awe-inspiring nave which has room for more than 1,100 people or can seat 940 for dinner. The usual number for such events is between 300 and 600 and there are downloadable seating plans on the website.
Despite its huge size, the acoustics are excellent, and the cathedral can provide audio visual experts to customise the lighting and sound for each event. It’s the widest nave in Europe, surrounded by stunning stained-glass windows and intricate, carved stonework.
There are also different places in the cathedral for smaller events, with the Regimental Chapel having room for 190 for dinner and the refectory which can take 80.
For more private events such as fine dining, the library has room for 50 while the Chapter House is small and intimate with space for 15.
Manchester Cathedral has a preferred list of suppliers to host any kind of event with corporate dining from Harvey Nichols or the Coriander Group headed by award- winning Indian chef Lalit Sodhi. The venue also has a preferred list of mobile bars along with sound and vision experts, but it can also be hired as a blank space for you to use your own suppliers to impress your delegates.
Delegate transport isn’t an issue, as the cathedral has links to nearby hotels and can provide discounted car parking.
Having such an iconic venue in the North means businesses from the area – and even further afield in the UK – won’t have to travel that far to host an event to impress anyone who attends.
The venue is now also getting international recognition. Global insurance federation ICMIF needed to relocate its biennial conference and dinner from Tokyo at short notice due to an earthquake and chose Manchester Cathedral to host the event.
ICMIF events Vice-President, Yvonne Hautenne, said: “We found the absolutely and unexpectedly perfect venue in Manchester Cathedral. The evening was stunningly spectacular. With the backdrop of the elegantly gothic and beautifully illuminated cathedral around us, the scene was set for the most successful and enjoyable evening I’ve ever been involved with.
“All of our delegates from all over the world were amazed, awestruck and truly honoured to spend such an entertaining evening in magnificent surroundings.”
The cathedral can provide modern audio-visual equipment including a digital projector, a presentation point for laptop computers, a slide projector, screen, and an overhead projector. And with easy access for production companies, it’s a hassle free venue for the event planner.
Manchester Cathedral is one of the best examples worldwide of an age-old venue reinventing itself for the modern world in spectacular style.
Contact Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development
on 07713 388474 or beapartofit@ manchestercathedral.org
Manchester Cathedral
Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX Manchestercathedral.org/hire-the- cathedral