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Tony Rogers, Chief Executive of the British Association of Conference Destinations (
BACD), has recently produced an article on the variety, development and growth of conference venues throughout the East Midlands for a forthcoming issue of Government Business magazine. Tony Rogers said of Leicestershires conference and events facilities “It’s very clear that investment in conference facilities in Leicestershire is booming, bringing on stream a plethora of unique, high quality venues and adding to the county’s already varied offering. Leicestershire is a destination that looks set to win an increasing share of the business events market.” Please see article below: Leicestershire Leicestershire is another county witnessing high levels of investment in its conference facilities, as evidenced by the examples below: Athena, situated in Leicester’s cultural quarter, was originally designed in 1936 as an Odeon Cinema. It has now been restored to its former glory and retains its original art deco splendour, and has a capacity for 1300 people. The Peepul Centre is a 60,000 square foot flagship community-led regeneration project in Leicester. This landmark building opened in 2005, incorporating a 350-seat auditorium with tilting raked seating, enabling the area underneath the seating to be fully utilised as flat floor space for weddings and other social or business events. The Centre’s function rooms come with all support services including simultaneous translation. The Performing Arts Centre will open in Leicester in autumn 2008, designed as an exceptional new theatre with state-of-the-art technology. This iconic venue will boast a large flexible stage that can be seen from the street outside in a 750-seat auditorium, while a 350-seat studio theatre will provide a versatile smaller space. There will also be meeting rooms for events and conferences, rehearsal rooms, a dance studio, workshop areas and a café/bar. Hotel Maiyango is a stunning 14 bedroom four star-rated boutique hotel setting a new standard in city centre accommodation in the heart of Leicester. The hotel’s spectacular third floor roof top terrace bar overlooking the city and multi-function conference space and meeting rooms are ideal for both meetings or private hire events. The City Rooms is a beautiful Georgian Grade 1 listed building located in the heart of Leicester city centre. The centrepiece of The City Rooms is the magnificent ballroom which runs the whole width of the building on the first floor. Following a careful two-year restoration, the building can now offer four meeting rooms suitable for hosting meetings of between 2 and 200 delegates. The Best Western Premier Yew Lodge, located near M1 junction 24, has recently undergone an extensive £5 million refurbishment. A family owned four star hotel, it has an enviable reputation for fine food and warm hospitality, and has been playing host to conferences for over 50 years, with a capacity of 330 theatre-style. Connecting Leicester’s new Business and Cultural Quarters, Elision Health Leadership Centre, after a recent refurbishment, offers dedicated facilities for meetings, conferences and training. Unique to Leicester is a simulation training facility complete with state-of-the-art audio-visual recording equipment. The Best Western Three Swans Hotel in Market Harborough offers a purpose-built conference centre, refurbished in 2007. The largest Cromwell suite can hold meetings up to 250. There are nine rooms in total, accommodating smaller meetings from two upwards. There is also ongoing refurbishment throughout the hotel including public areas and bedrooms. The Ramada Tamworth Hotel in Appleby Magna underwent a major refurbishment in 2007 and has five conference rooms, ranging from syndicate rooms accommodating 10 delegates to the Ashby Suite that can accommodate up to 50 delegates boardroom style or 110 theatre style. |
