Category: Blog

Groundbreaking re-design of {10-11} Carlton House Terrace begins

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Works have begun at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace to bring to fruition a major re-design of the venue – home to The British Academy for humanities and social sciences.

Led by leading architectural firm Wright & Wright, the lower ground floor will be transformed into an exciting new event space. The firm was chosen for its expertise in the design of educational and cultural institutions. The scheme will centre on the addition of the latest hybrid event technology, allowing for worldwide & agile hosts and audiences to experience the grandeur & quality of events at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace.

The major building works are the biggest changes to the venue since its opening 120 years ago in 1902. This £9.6 million development is aided by a lead gift of £5 million from the Wolfson Foundation – part of a major grant of £10 million to support the humanities and social sciences. The project will transform the corridors and rooms on the lower floors into three, double-height event spaces that are technologically equipped for all manner of events, such as conferences, lectures, workshops, festivals, and performances. This follows the significant demand in increase for online and hybrid events the industry has experienced post-pandemic.

As specialists in reconciling historic buildings for the future age, Wright & Wright architects have designed an innovative plan that will provide contemporary spaces that complement the historic details of the beautiful Grade I listed building. Furthermore, with awards in sustainability and eco-conscious design, the firm has ensured that Carlton House Terrace’s commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the re-design.

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace will be the first Grade I listed property in Westminster to be granted permission to install double glazing, allowing for better climate control, in addition to the entirety of the heating systems being carbon-free through the use of air source heat pumps.

The new configuration of the lower floors of Carlton House Terrace will create vibrant event space that will attract an array of new national and international hosts and guests, who will get to enjoy the historical significance of the building; as well as the first-class technology embedded in the new event space.

The British Academy President, Julia Black, comments:

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for The British Academy. The transformation of our building signals a new opening up of our physical spaces, and in turn, brings the remarkable knowledge, perspectives and creativity from across our varying disciplines to audiences in the UK and internationally. The humanities and social sciences have so much to contribute to society; and it is the Academy’s role to provide the best possible platform for them, connecting the best insights from our disciplines with policymakers, leading thinkers and curious minds.”

Stephen Smith, Partner at Wright & Wright Architects also comments:

“The design will unlock existing, underused spaces, transforming the historic building for the future and enabling Carlton House Terrace to serve growing audiences. Our low-energy solution is based on an innovative approach that exemplifies our firm’s core tenets of building new into old sustainably, with a low carbon footprint and environmentally conscious designs that will last well into the future. Reacting to post-Covid realities, this transformation will create flexible rooms for new ways of meeting and sharing in digital, hybrid and in-person formats. We are honoured to help shape the evolution of the rich architectural and social history of {10-11} Carlton House Terrace.”

To keep up to date with the venues key milestones and for a sneak preview of the exciting renovations, click here.

QEII supports WrapUp London campaign in critical year

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London’s QEII Centre is calling on event professionals and the public to donate their unwanted coats and help warm up the capital’s most vulnerable people this winter once again.

The events venue has partnered again with charity HandsOn London to serve as a collection point for its WrapUp London campaign which provides a coat to anyone who needs one, including the homeless, vulnerable families and refugees.

With two thirds of adults in Britain reporting their cost of living increasing in the past month, WrapUp London’s campaign will be more important than ever this year. In London, where nearly half the country’s rough sleepers are, donated coats will be distributed via homeless shelters, refugee centres, organisations supporting the elderly, women’s refuges, children’s centres, and other charities helping people in crisis.

QEII has supported the WrapUp London campaign for five years, serving as Westminster’s dedicated collection point and collecting 3,825 coats for those in need.

In total, HandsOn London has distributed 197,000 coats to the capital’s most vulnerable since it started the campaign 11 years ago.

This year’s campaign starts on the 7th of November and QEII is calling event organisers to spread the word to their delegates so they can get involved and maximise donations.

Mark Taylor, chief executive of the QEII Centre said: “In the past we have been overwhelmed by the donations we have received – playing a consistent key role in this cause is a great honour for our centre. WrapUp London really demonstrates the collective community that is central to the spirit of London, and I hope that our work can be an important lifeline for all vulnerable people during this difficult and cold winter.”

Jon Meech, CEO of HandsOn London said: “We are delighted that the QEII Centre will be able to support WrapUp London for another year. Their generosity enables a collection point to be available in the heart of Westminster and has collected several thousand warm coats for the campaign. Every year the demand for warm coats increases and this year is sadly no exception. As a largely volunteer-led campaign we can only hope to meet this demand with the help of partners like the QEII Centre.”

Explore the hireable events spaces available at the centre.

Westminster Venue Collection appoint a new Chair of the Board of Directors

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Westminster Venue Collection are pleased to announce they have appointed a new Chair of the Board of Directors, Barbara Wutte.

Following the start of Westminster Venue Collection’s new membership year, the Board of Directors and members came together for their Annual General Meeting at the beautiful Inner Temple last month.

Kindly hosted by Stacey Barber and her team on 20th September 2022, the meeting provided a great opportunity to give members an update on the recent news and exciting initiatives planned for the organisation’s coming membership year.

It was announced that Barbara Wutte, Head of Conferences at The Royal Society, will take over from Rachel Azzopardi who has been Chair of Westminster Venue Collection for the past four years.

Rachel was warmly thanked for her hard work and dedication, especially through the pandemic, and the Collection wish her well for her next ventures.

During her time on the Board, Barbara Wutte has been a key figure in the membership’s vision and growth, so her appointment came as a natural transition following Rachel Azzopardi’s resignation as Chair.

This year, the Board have decided to appoint a new position of Vice Chair for the organisation. To allow contingency planning, it was also agreed that the role of Vice Chair will then become Chair after a year of tenure.

The new position of Vice Chair will be held by Paul Martins, New Business Development Manager at Make Venues Broadway House, who has championed the collective using successful case studies. The next Vice Chair will then be elected in turn at the next AGM.

Progressively, WVC has launched a new Member Engagement and Events Committee, consisting of Kay Davies of the Houses of Parliament, Marina Papadopoulou of Church House Westminster and Jonathan Chohan of One Great George Street.

Rhiannon Thomas of Central Hall Westminster will head up plans for The Meetings Show and Thomas Mauch of the QEII Centre will continue to direct IT and website development.

Barbara Wutte, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Westminster Venue Collection says: “Member engagement is our top priority. The new WVC vision must be to increase the number of members and to strengthen our brand. This will allow us to market all our member venues with further activity nationally and then beyond”.

The WVC Board encourages venues in the Westminster region who would like to be represented to join this prestigious collection and help shape an exciting new chapter into 2023.

IET London: Savoy Place shortlisted for double London Venue Awards accolade

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IET London: Savoy Place has been shortlisted for both Best Venue Customer Service and Best Venue for Hybrid Events in the London Venue Awards 2022.

Amid recognition of outstanding customer service, the venue has been celebrating the loyalty of its staff, with four of the senior team having dedicated over a decade of service to the IET and its clients. Due to the consistency and expertise offered at Savoy Place, the venue has had over 60% repeat bookers for events over the past 12 months.

Savoy Place’s modern conference facilities with robust IT infrastructure have allowed it to facilitate filming and streaming to multiple rooms. Additional hybrid filming and streaming services supplied to commercial clients by in-house AV specialists, IET.tv, are on track to grow in value by 300% for 2022, compared to 2021.

As the IET’s central London event venue, the building is well used by science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) businesses as well as clients from broader industries championing CSR because of its sustainability credentials, including its most recent Greengage Platinum ECOsmart accreditation. With many high-profile visitors and events, Savoy Place is proficient in client privacy, NDA content and full-service packages to provide security. The venue’s Operations Manager also has House of Commons security experience.

On being shortlisted, Sean Spencer, Head of IET Venues and Facilities said: “It’s brilliant recognition of the hard work the team has put in over the past 12 months to constantly adapt our client offering while continuing to deliver above and beyond when it comes to customer service. We’ve worked hard to develop a strong culture and thorough training scheme, educating staff on the importance of exceptional operational standards.

“Congratulations to the entire Savoy Place team for being recognised in two categories that highlight both technical prowess and outstanding delivery.”

Explore Savoy Place’s hybrid facilities to find out more about hosting your next event here.

Discover Westminster; Showcase Success!

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We have long been known for our fantastic Westminster Venue Showcase events and this year was no exception!! The 26th of May 2022 marked the occasion of our Discover Westminster; Around Westminster Venues in 80 minutes, showcase event and how special for us all to be back together and what a fantastic evening it was!

Located at the Royal Society, one of our fabulous member venues, it was great to be back hosting a face-to-face event – You could feel the excitement amongst all. This elegant setting really set the scene and created the perfect backdrop for the occasion.

The showcase was attended by event professionals from London and beyond for the opportunity to celebrate and explore our unique consortium of Westminster’s finest venues. It was amazing to see them all showing off their venues and event packages to new and potential clients. Our venue collection includes a wide variety of venue types and styles, all with their own fascinating backstory and many with historic significance.

Originally home to the United Services Club, Georgian venue 116 Pall Mall was designed by John Nash, and this Grade I listed venue still contains many of the club’s original treasures. Then we move to The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn. Their Great Hall was opened by Queen Victoria, and not to mention, Edwardian venue One Great George Street, 18th Century RSA House, and the world-famous Houses of Parliament.

The recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place throughout the city have seen these spectacular venues celebrated in all their glory, which has led to more enquiries, but let’s not forget the incredible modern venues within the collection. The QEII Centre got the chance to boast their cutting-edge AV facilities, essential for delivering live and engaging hybrid and studio events. The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton, showcased their stylish conference spaces and luxurious rooms for overnight stays. And if you’re looking for big screen events, Vue West End have got you covered!

We were also joined by key industry suppliers, including Frew & Co rolled ice cream. Their fun and refreshing treats are perfect for outdoor summer events. The talented chefs at the Royal Society also made an appearance to showcase some sweet offerings. Dan and the team plated up a feast for the eyes, demonstrating some impressive techniques, including dry ice!

Thank you to all who attended, and especially to Barbara Wutte and her team at the Royal Society for helping our board and the Paje team to organise the event, it wouldn’t have been a success without all those involved. The drinks were flowing and the delicious canapes went down a treat, and it was fantastic to see members sharing their images across social media.

“We are so excited about the future, we have new members joining our collection, new initiatives planned by the enthusiastic board and Paje Team and our venues are back to business at 2019 levels again!  We look forward to working with you over the coming months and celebrating just how amazing London and our wonderful Westminster Collection are!”  –  Rachel Azzopardi, Chair of Westminster Venue Collection.

Our experienced sales marketing and PR partners are here to support with enquiries and help you find the best space for your events. If you’re looking to book last minute summer parties, our venues have some stunning, private outdoor spaces available for hire, right in the heart of the Capital. Contact us today and we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your occasion.

Dining at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

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It takes a team of brilliant staff to execute a successful event, and the team at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn are exactly that!

Their dedicated event planners and front of house staff will look after your event from start to finish, making sure that every guest has a fantastic evening.

The venues kitchen of talented and experienced chefs use seasonal and quality produce to cook up a feast you’ll never forget. Their balanced and varied menus offer a selection of delicious canapes and beautiful bowl food for your guests to enjoy, including vegetarian and vegan options.

 

 

SPACES AVAILABLE FOR HIRE

Great Hall

As you enter the Great Hall (pictured above) your eyes are drawn to the painted fresco and beautifully detailed ceilings. This stunning setting makes a fantastic backdrop for your next dining event.

Old Court Room

This characterful room, once lively with legal activity, is now a charming event space ideal for private dinners for up to 44 guests and receptions up to 80.

Events Venue Westminster

Old Hall

This remarkable, traditional space has been used to entertain for over 500 years, witnessing many events in its long history. Hire this space for your next reception lunch or dinner, and it will be sure to leave your guests suitably impressed.

Banquet Venue Westminster

The MCR

The unique vaulted ceilings of the MCR provides a spectacular backdrop for intimate receptions and dinners. It even has its own private terrace for pre-dinner drinks!

Reception Venue Westminster

 

Find out more

116 Pall Mall opens it’s doors for Valentine’s Weekend

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116 Pall Mall opens it’s doors for Valentine’s Weekend

116 Pall Mall and Searcys are pulling out all the stops this Valentine’s Day by opening up for a special three-course Valentine’s dinner, and a Rosé Champagne afternoon tea, with four dates for you to choose from across the weekend. Enjoy the romantic setting of 116 Pall Mall, with their glittering chandeliers as your backdrop, stunning views of Central London and plenty of rosé bubbles flowing to get you feeling loved up.

Valentine’s Dinner: 11 & 14 February | From 6.30pm

Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember, with a glass of Ruinart Brut Rosé Champagne and oysters on arrival, followed by a candle-lit three-course menu in their beautiful Morning Room. Enjoy the views of the glittering 15ft chandelier hanging above the grand staircase as you head down for a post-dinner cocktail in their secret-cellar Champagne Bar.

£75 per person

Valentine’s Afternoon Tea: 12 & 13 February | 2pm – 3.30pm

Treat your loved one to a special Rosé Champagne afternoon tea at 116 Pall Mall. Indulge in a selection of love-themed sweet and savoury treats accompanied by Rosé Champagne in the beautiful surrounds of 116 Pall Mall.

£35 per person | £49 with a glass of champagne

Still need to make Valentine’s plans? Click here to book your romantic treat today!

Broadway House adds new Virtual Tour

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Broadway House in Westminster have launched a fabulous new virtual tour to make it even easier for you to look round their venue.

The technology allows you to look at all of their rooms, in multiple layouts, through the click of a button. Also, using the ‘doll’s house’ view, you can see the location of your conference room in relation to your breakout rooms and catering spaces.

It looks great, it makes your life easier and, because you don’t need to visit the property lots of times in the run up to your event, saves you time.

Do have a look and let us know what you think.

Broadway House | Central London, Westminster Venue Hire | Make UK Venues (makevenues.co.uk)

Behind the Scenes at the QEII with Stuart Drummond

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The QEII Centre pride themselves on the quality of the event experience and at the heart of that is their experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff.  They have been kind enough to share their insight and experience on what makes a great Event Manager.

Stuart Drummond has worked at the QEII Centre for 27 years and his role is to work closely with the client once the contract has been approved, right through to the event day itself as well as any post event follow up that is required.

“My job is to successfully manage the event and build strong relationships both with the client and internal teams to achieve this.  My main priority is to ensure all logistics are in place and that the event runs smoothly on the day. It is essential that I build good relationships with clients and get to know them and how they like their events to run, especially as I run many events for repeat clients.”

Stuart believes that one of the great strengths of the Centre is that everything is about the client and ensuring the success of their event.  Staff are a vital part of this from the warm welcome at the reception and security team through to the client care provided by the AV, Catering, Event Management and Sales teams. Professionalism, knowledge and friendliness shines through.

Stuart says “the buzz of the job comes from helping the client to deliver a successful event and achieve their objectives. There is nothing more satisfying than having a client come up to you at the end of the event and thanking you for helping to make it possible.”

And what does an Event Manager do to relax when not looking after customers?  Stuart says “developing my cooking repertoire and trying out new recipes, as I really enjoy it!” Perhaps you can ask him about his favourites when you next visit the QEII Centre.

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Westminster Venue Collection partners with Paje Consultancy

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Westminster Venue Collection are delighted to announce they have awarded the contract to provide Westminster Venue Collection with a full marketing, membership and enquiry service to Paje Consultancy Ltd from 1st November 2021.

WVC offers over twenty high quality venues in the Westminster region of Central London, and the Paje team are delighted to be working with this organisation to assist them in their exciting journey back to pre-pandemic business levels.

The WVC portfolio encompasses fashionable townhouses and private members clubs to luxury hotels, celebrated attractions, historic institutes and leading society venues.  This carefully selected venue collection combines both modern and traditional exhibition spaces, museums, auditoria, conference rooms and banqueting halls to offer the finest world-class facilities all based in London’s iconic City of Westminster.

Rachel Azzopardi, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Westminster Venue Collection says “We are delighted to be working with Mandy Jennings and the experienced team at Paje Consultancy.  The Board and I believe with their excellent track record in sales and marketing, plus success in managing hospitality industry consortia they will take our London collection of venues to new heights and really help support our venues coming out of the pandemic”

Mandy Jennings, CEO and Founder of Paje comments “Building on our strengths and the experienced team we already have in place; this is an ideal opportunity for progression.  We look forward to working with all of the exciting and innovative WVC venues over the coming months and developing a strong business model as meetings and events business continues to bounce back.”

This latest appointment provides Paje Consultancy Ltd with a fantastic opportunity to use their experience gained from successfully representing other leading UK consortia.   Mandy Jennings and the team have been partners of Venues of Excellence since 2016 winning the “CHS UK Best Representation Award in 2020” and during the pandemic Mandy made the decision to purchase the organisation to assure its longevity.  Paje Consultancy also provide a dedicated sales and marketing team for the acclaimed Academic Venue Solutions association.  Paje Consultancy formed in 2010 and have worked on over one hundred independent consultancy projects for hotels and venues during this time, plus they operate a first class Learning & Development academy providing online and classroom training for the hospitality industry.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Mandy Jennings MIH, CEO Paje Consultancy Ltd & CEO Venues of Excellence

Email:  [email protected]

Mobile: 07776 307167

WVC Website:  www.venues-london.co.uk

Paje Consultancy Website: www.paje-uk.com