Author: engineroom

London Transport Museum will be brightening up dreary autumnal evenings by hosting a brand-new season of themed events on selected Friday nights, starting this September and running until the end of the year.

Hosted by creatives, journalists, writers, scientists and historians, each event features themed activities and quizzes inspired by London’s history, heritage and culture.

The new After Dark events will offer guests the chance to enjoy a post-work culture fix as they explore London Transport Museum’s galleries and exhibitions after hours from 18:30 to 21:00.

Visitors can peruse the Museum free from crowds and catch up with friends with a drink from the pop-up bar, where the Museum’s must-try signature red Routemaster cocktail will be on offer.

Guests can also weave their way through the atmospheric passageways of the award-winning Hidden London exhibition in the Global Gallery – now extended by popular demand – and get a glimpse of what the next decade could hold for life in the Capital in the new London 2030 installation.

In the recently redeveloped London’s Transport at War gallery visitors can learn about the important role London’s transport has played at home and abroad during global conflicts, while a stroll around the London by Design gallery will delight design fans, showcasing the world-famous art and design heritage of the Capital’s transport, from maps to moquette, the iconic seating fabric familiar to all Londoners.

The first event in the new series on Friday 3 September is themed around the Museum’s Hidden London tours of ‘ghost’ stations and other secret sites across the Capital’s transport network. Chris Nix, London Transport Museum’s Assistant Director of Collections and Engagement and Siddy Holloway, Hidden London Engagement Manager and star of the new Yesterday channel documentary, Secrets of the London Underground, hosted the evening, testing guests knowledge of London’s subterranean sites and secrets in a lively pub-style quiz.

Tickets to all After Dark events cost £12 (Concession £10) and can be booked online ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/after-dark. 18:30-21:00. Over 18s only.

London’s leading conference and events venue, The QEII Centre, welcomed climate experts to a ground-breaking discussion about the creation of a sustainable food system.

The event, organised by Compass Group UK & Ireland, took place at QEII on 20 July where it brought together government representatives, business leaders and academics to talk about how we can reduce climate emissions by building a sustainable food system.

World-renowned climate experts, including the UK’s Net Zero Business Champion Andrew Griffith MP, climate academic, Professor Sir Charles Godfray and Food Foundation Director Anna Taylor spoke to over 150 attendees from the QEII’s Churchill room.

The QEII’s in-house AV team QEII Live created and supported a live link so that more than 400 people could attend virtually. They included Diane Holdorf, managing director of Food and Nature for World Business Council for Sustainable Development, who spoke by video link from Geneva.

Following the discussion, attendees were invited by Compass to a food tasting, prepared by QEII’s in-house caterers QEII Taste. The team, led by head chef Jean-Michel Viala, created a sumptuous, yet low-carbon menu of Lincolnshire cauliflower stalk and leaf with samphire, Chalk Stream river trout with a watercress sauce and roasted Worcestershire beetroot, carrot and sundried tomato, with cherry vinegar dressing.

The conference was the first major in-person event held at QEII since 23 March 2020 when it was closed due to the nationwide lockdown. The event was held as part of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s, commitment to achieve Climate Net Zero by 2030.

As colleagues and clients return to the office, Lincoln’s Inn is showing support to the industry with 30% off* room hire in its Ashworth Centre meeting rooms for events taking place in September and October 2021.

Set within the tranquil and historic enclave of Lincoln’s Inn’s 11-acre estate, lies the modern and stylish Ashworth Centre. Officially opened in December 2018 by HM Queen Elizabeth II, the centre is named after Mercy Ashworth, one of the first two women to be called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1923. Comprising a suite of ten meeting rooms and a double height lecture theatre, the conference centre provides a charming juxtaposition of old and new, as the venue’s extensive history of Grade I and II listed buildings are complemented with contemporary facilities including hybrid capabilities, first-class service and delectable in-house catering.

To make use of this limited time offer, please quote’ WVCMEET30’ when submitting your enquiry to [email protected].

*discount applies on full rates only, and is subject to availability.

Emma has been at Broadway House for almost 23 years – a staggering commitment and a well-placed event professional to comment on the changing landscape of the sector.

As an integral member of the Broadway House team, we spoke with Emma this month to find out how her work as a Conferences Coordinator has changed recently.

What has kept you in the business meetings and events industry for so long and what do you love about it most?
Firstly, working alongside a strong team at Broadway House as well as my colleagues within the Make Venues Group. I really do feel part of something great with likeminded people who really care about the customer experience. It’s a pleasure to come to work every day. I love to chat and make people feel good so getting to speak with clients every day and help to organise successful events really is the perfect job for me.

Based on your extensive experience in the industry, what has been the most difficult adjustment to working through the pandemic?
The first major adjustment was working at home for the first few months. I was used to being in a busy and bustling venue in central Westminster so not being in that environment was hard.

On returning to the venue in July 2020 it was so sad seeing the building almost empty. But the team and I remained positive and worked on what we could do to improve and adapt. Broadway House has a new floor of great meeting spaces as well as investing in Hybrid Technology…we’ve been busy!

What’s been your favourite event over the years?
Every year we are lucky to have a Charity hire Broadway House for a Post London Marathon Meet Up. Broadway House is extremely close to the finishing line so a great base for family and friends of the charity’s runners to gather during and after the race – along with the runners once they have completed the 26 miles. On their return our chefs (Wilson Vale) provide a delicious hearty meal for the runners after their hard work! It’s so great to feel part of the excitement and anticipation as we all wait for the runners to return.

If you had one message to give to any hesitant event planners, what would it be?
Just go for it!

By speaking with your chosen venue and discussing your concerns, hearing the cleaning and hygiene measures in place – I think you’ll find great events can take place safely.

Why is Westminster the ultimate destination for events?
It’s the heart of London.  Close to all the major attractions – Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to name a few. Delegates can attend great events and at the end of the day go off and explore!

The QEII Centre will be joining embassy diplomats as they mark the arrival of the United Nations Green later this month.    

Broad Sanctuary Green, the lawn situated at the front of London’s leading conference and events venue, was renamed ‘United Nations Green’ at a virtual ceremony in January as a permanent tribute to 75 years of the United Nation’s (UN).  

To celebrate the arrival of United Nations Green, the Westminster United Nations Association will be hosting a party on Saturday, 21 August between 12-5.30pm where visitors will be invited to welcome the latest landmark and have their photo taken in front of the world’s largest banner marking the UN’s 75th birthday, into which the flags of the 193 member states will be planted.  

Entertainment to celebrate the exact place where the UN first met in 1946 will include live music, refreshments – with welcome cups of tea provided by QEII – and a peace dove release at 3pm as well as family activities including a ‘Watch out for Global Warming’ hopscotch and an adventure trail. Central Hall Westminster will also open its doors to guests wishing to view the historic Minute Book of the first UN General Assembly held on 10 January 1946, alongside other memorabilia. 

The commemorative event will mark the UK’s role in the founding of the UN, which has negotiated 172 peace settlements that have ended conflicts and over 300 international treaties from human rights conventions to agreements on the use of outer space, the arms trade and the oceans.  

Chief executive of the QEII Centre, Mark Taylor, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the commemorative UN 75th anniversary celebrations. Having hosted many high-profile international events for over three decades, including The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018 and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in 2019, the QEII Centre is delighted to be joining embassy diplomats at this event.”   

To find our more and register to attend this free event visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/its-the-welcome-united-nations-green-party-join-us-tickets-160416707691 

Treat your delegates to a mouth-watering warm mini bacon or mushroom roll to get the day off to a great start on us.

Or if you prefer something a little sweeter then change it up for a delicious free breakfast pastry instead!

Offer is for new bookings that take place until 30 September, is subject to availability and 110 Rochester Row terms and conditions. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts.

For more information, contact [email protected]

To celebrate opening their doors to the public on the weekend for the first time, 116 Pall Mall is teaming up with Searcys to launch a brand new Confectioner’s afternoon tea from Saturday 11 September 2021.

Inspired by the founder of Searcys, John Searcy, who started as a head confectioner to the Duke of Northumberland and went on to establish Searcys in 1847, guests can enjoy a prestigious afternoon tea in the heart of the West-End, set under the ornate ceilings on the ground floor of 116 – overlooking Pall Mall and Waterloo Place.

Start with a tour of the building, including the sweeping staircase located below the glittering 15ft chandelier – a gift to commemorate the battle of Waterloo – before settling down for a selection of savouries including Smoked salmon rillette, horseradish, pickled fennel, and keta; and a salt beef Reuben brioche bun, alongside freshly baked scones and pastries of Chocolate, cherry and pistachio delice; Passionfruit éclair; and Searcys signature Victoria. For little ones, there will also be a Children’s Tea with a Galia melon, orange and blueberry salad, rolls, scones, and special sweet treats.

Kate Dean, Marketing Manager at 116 Pall Mall said “Opening our doors to the public on the weekend is extremely exciting and something we’ve never done before. We can’t wait to welcome more guests into our magnificent building on a regular basis. Launching an afternoon tea felt like the perfect way to introduce people into 116 Pall Mall and teaming up with Searcys is going to kick off the beginning of a new and exciting catering partnership.

“Being in the heart of the West End and a stone’s throw from the iconic shopping districts of Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and Oxford Circus, there is a huge amount of weekend footfall in the area that’s beginning to return to normal after the pandemic. Joining us for an afternoon tea is the perfect Saturday afternoon activity, whether it’s for a special occasion, before seeing a West End show, or just a premium pit-stop from shopping!”

The Confectioner’s Afternoon Tea launches on Saturday 11 September 2021 and continues every Saturday onwards. More details will be announced soon and you can book a table here.

In July 2021 Church House Westminster achieved the Platinum ECOsmart venue accreditation for sustainability, awarded by Greengage Travel and Events.

Grade II listed multi-purpose events venue, Church House Westminster, is committed to minimising and controlling the environmental impact of the venue’s operations. As such, sustainability is aligned with their business strategy in their goal to achieve net-zero carbon status by 2030.

Greengage Travel & Event Solutions’ ECOsmart is an industry-standard accreditation awarded to hotels, venues, and agencies that can demonstrate an environmentally conscious approach and adoption of eco-friendly measures.

New projects, for example, included the installation of waterless urinals last year, which subsequently saves the venue equivalent of three Olympic-sized swimming pools of water each year.

The venue has also updated its sustainability policy last year to include its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon status by 2030 and the steps to support this goal. Making great strides already, the venue has replaced all gas equipment with green energy appliances, donates all leftover food to the local community, and has adopted a zero waste to landfill process.

The events team promotes a 12-step action plan for sustainable events at Church House Westminster with organisers in the lead-up to events to keep the carbon footprint to a minimum.

It’s never too early to start planning a Christmas party, especially this year. With most parties cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, RIBA is ready for this festive season to be bigger and better than ever!

The venue’s popular ‘Build your Own’ Christmas party package is back for 2021 and fully customisable to match clients’ taste, budget, and requirements.

In the last few years, the venue has observed a growing reluctance to opt for fully themed packages in favour of a more bespoke celebration, however they know how daunting starting from scratch can be, especially when time is of the essence, and with COVID-19 protocols to be mindful of. The premise of the ‘Build Your Own’ experience – a subtle nod to the venue’s architectural roots – is to offer multiple F&B options at different price points, as well as a choice of three architecturally stunning event spaces to suit parties of all sizes. With this taken care of, it gives planners more time to be creative with bespoke theming and entertainment!

If you are ready to get the annual Christmas party back in the diary, get in touch at [email protected] to find out more and secure your preferred date.

Lincoln’s Inn has received a license for civil ceremonies in its event spaces. Within an eleven-acre enclave of beautifully maintained gardens in the heart of central London, set amongst the tranquil surroundings of ‘old legal London’ architecture, Lincoln’s Inn provides a beautiful backdrop for weddings.

Epitomising British elegance, the Great Hall emanates the architectural beauty of the Tudor Revival style. Opened in 1845 by Queen Victoria, it provides the perfect setting for weddings on a grand scale with its stunning elevated ceiling, stained glass windows and vast fresco by the renowned G.F. Watts. The Old Hall, considered one of the finest Tudor buildings in London, provides an intimate but no less magnificent setting for your ceremony. Amongst its many notable features are the wooden screen designed by Inigo Jones and Hogarth’s painting of “Paul Before Felix”.

Modest civil ceremonies are more well suited to the atmospheric vaulted ceiling of The MCR or the book-lined walls of the Old Court Room, whilst the modern Ashworth Centre provides a charming juxtaposition of old and new with its contemporary feel.

This leading London venue is also available for wedding receptions and celebrations offering first-class service and delectable in-house catering.

For further information on the licenced rooms and wedding packages available, please email [email protected].