We look at some of the latest venue openings and refurbishments enticing meetings and events across the North.
Glenapp Castle
Situated in Glenapp Castle’s adjoined Victorian glasshouse and original bothy, the new Azalea restaurant can be used exclusively for cocktail parties of up to 100 or formal dining experiences for 70 delegates with views of the picturesque surrounding gardens. Flexible spaces within the castle itself are also fit for different sized events, including intimate gatherings in the library for 10 delegates featuring panoramic views over to Ailsa Craig, and the McDowell and Invergordon Rooms for 36 delegates with a bespoke catering menu provided for each event.
Glenappcastle.com
Kenwood Hall
Recently refurbished outdoor dining facilities, event spaces, and a conference café area are the latest offerings at the Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa. Various function rooms can now accommodate up to 150 delegates for dinner, while the Lakeview suite can fit up to 180 for an evening reception. Within 12 acres of parkland, Kenwood Hall’s dedicated wellness area featuring comfortable seating, complimentary health drinks, and picturesque views also allows delegates to relax between meetings. Luxury tipi tents provided by event partner, Katachiefs, are also available to meet the demand for upcoming outdoor Christmas parties.
Kenwoodhall.co.uk
The Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC Hotel
A £650,000 refurbishment has unveiled a new reception, lounge, and bar area at The Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC Hotel featuring locally inspired artworks depicting elements of iconic Birmingham landmarks. The new public spaces let delegates meet, work, and socialise together within a new modern interior design, with an E-bar including power points for devices and a wireless printer. Up to 200 delegates can make use of the hotel’s extensive meeting facilities across 10 versatile rooms.
lghhm.com
Center Parcs Sherwood Forest
Nottinghamshire’s nature-rich attraction is back after a long period of pandemic- closure to re-introduce its conference and events space, The Venue. Nestled in 400 acres of forest, The Venue’s five flexible suites are surrounded by walkways offering delegates views overlooking the greenery. Able to be used as one large and flexible space, the suites can accommodate up to 600 delegates theatre style and 500 in gala, with smaller rooms offering capacity for between 16 to 280 delegates each. Outdoor team building activities designed to develop trust and communication skills are also available, including treetop adventures and lake water sports.
Events.centerparcs.co.uk
Radisson Blue Hotel Perth
Occupying one of the first original British railway hotels, Radisson Blu Hotel Perth is now the brand’s seventh property to join its Scottish portfolio alongside properties in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness. The hotel’s five fully equipped meeting spaces include the largest ballrooms outside Edinburgh, which can accommodate up to 350 delegates for expansive events while smaller boardrooms can fit a maximum of 40 delegates for training sessions or international conference calls.
Radissonhotels.com
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
A series of soft launch events has slowly introduced Virgin Hotels Edinburgh to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, with October marking the launch of the hotel’s dining and meetings venues. The latest phase includes the opening of the restored and repurposed 19th century church, Greyfriar’s Hall, now holding up to 150 delegates for special events with a rooftop sanctuary offering unobstructed views of Edinburgh Castle. At ground floor level, restaurant and bar Eve can cater for 160 delegates in a designed playful atmosphere with diverse evening entertainment showcasing the best of both Scottish and international culture.
Virginhotels.com/edinburgh/meetings- and-events
The Longlands Inn
An extensive ground floor refurbishment of The Longlands Inn in Lancashire has included the addition of a new function suite named after the area’s most familiar birds. The Lapwing Bar & Dining Room can comfortably sit up to 30 delegates, with floor to ceiling black panelled glass and direct access to the hotels main bar and outdoor patio area. Two more intimate breakout spaces can host for smaller groups of up to 10 delegates, while a second phase development will add an extra two bedrooms to take the number up to 13 in the main building.
Longlandshotel.co.uk
Leicester Racecourse
Hosting up to 30 race meetings throughout the year, the East Midlands-based Leicester Racecourse offers 200 acres of land available to work with for team building days or evening marquee events. Reopening after closure during the pandemic, the Kube event centre is back for large scale exhibitions, conferences, and meetings suitable for up to 1,000 delegates, while benefitting from free parking for up to 2,000 vehicles with good transport links to Leicester city centre. A variety of rooms accommodating numbers from six delegates upwards are also available for smaller conferences or more intimate events. With Wi-Fi throughout the venue and complimentary parking, the venue’s prices remain competitive within the market, with an events team priding themselves on providing extremely high service.
Leicester-racecourse.com