Sourcing a venue for corporate events isn’t always an easy task, but academic institutions offer a low-cost alternative to hotels and conference centres. PA Life takes a look at the huge selection available across the UK. University of Bristol (pictured): bristol.ac.uk/conferences-hospitality/conferences/; Number of meeting spaces: The campus provides numerous spaces across a wide variety of buildings; Maximum capacity: 800; Number of bedrooms: 4,500 available from July to September; Day delegate rate: Dependent on the number of delegates; Unique selling point: The city of Bristol is vibrant and modern, surrounded by green fields and steeped in history. The university features a portfolio of iconic properties and offers tailored packages. Located close to transport links, the campus is a convenient choice for corporate away days.
University of Derby
derby.ac.uk/enterprisecentre
Number of meeting spaces: 13
Maximum capacity: 200
Number of bedrooms: None are available on campus, but the university has access to local hotels
Day delegate rate: Dependent on the event
Unique selling point: The Enterprise Centre is a purpose-built conference facility designed with business in mind. Each of the spaces is flooded with natural light and comes fully equipped with the latest technology to offer a convenient setting for meetings. A dedicated chef can deliver quality catering to suit your needs.
De Vere Venues East Midlands Conference Centre (EMCC)
deverevenues.co.uk/en/venues/east-midlands-conference-centre-orchard-hotel/
Number of meeting spaces: 121 across Nottingham Conferences and the EMCC
Maximum capacity: 3,000
Number of bedrooms: 3,500 available out of term time, plus 202 at the new Orchard Hotel
Day delegate rate: From £35
Unique selling point: Recent winner of the laterooms.com Simply the Guest award for best large hotel, the new eco-friendly Orchard Hotel has been designed with sustainability in mind. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the property with natural light and state-of-the-art renewable energy technology cements De Vere Venues’ continued commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Edinburgh Napier University
napier.ac.uk
Number of meeting spaces: The university offers a large choice of spaces across its three city centre campuses
Maximum capacity: 400
Number of bedrooms: More than 1,400 available during the summer
Day delegate rate: From £34
Unique selling point: Edinburgh Napier University offers a wide range of meeting and event spaces, all featuring state-of-the-art AV equipment and located within easy access of train stations and Edinburgh international airport. The Lindsay Stewart building (pictured) is a popular choice and a talking point among delegates due to its unusual design and egg-like shape.
University of Essex (Venue Essex)
venue-essex.co.uk
Number of meeting spaces: The University of Essex offers a variety of meeting rooms, including classrooms, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and breakout areas
Maximum capacity: 1,000
Number of bedrooms: More than 1,000 available July to September, plus 40 rooms year-round at Wivenhoe House Hotel
Day delegate rate: From £35
Unique selling point: The university offers a range of meeting and event spaces at both its Colchester and Southend campuses, including the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall. A popular choice is the iLabs, which are inspirational facilities designed to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving. Its dedicated team is able to provide facilitated sessions, anonymous brain storming software and full support.
Imperial College London
imperial.ac.uk/conferenceandevents
Number of meetings spaces: More than 200 across its South Kensington and west London campuses
Maximum capacity: 740 delegates theatre-style in the Great Hall or a marquee for around 1,000
Number of bedrooms: 2,000 rooms in halls of residence available from July to September, along with additional guest accommodation on campus
Day delegate rates: From £50 for main campus venues and from £65 for listed townhouse venues
Unique selling point: Located in central London, Imperial’s vast estate provides inspirational venues for events. It boasts a unique range of spaces from private townhouses and atriums to traditional lecture theatres and meeting rooms. Award-winning catering and an experienced events team complete the package.
Leeds Metropolitan University (Well Met Conferencing)
wellmetconferencing.com
Number of meeting spaces: 12
Maximum capacity: 350
Number of bedrooms: 23 year-round and 1,500 available out of term time
Day delegate rate: From £25
Unique selling point: The first university venue to achieve the Gold Accredited award in meetings status bestowed by the Meetings Industry Association, Well Met Conferencing is a distinctive conference site. Providing a portfolio of award-winning city centre and parkland venues with dedicated conference rooms in Leeds available throughout the year, and with free superfast wifi and AV equipment as standard, the campus offers a location for conferences, meetings, training, exhibitions, product launches, dinners, corporate away days and team-building events.
University of Liverpool
liv.ac.uk/hospitality
Number of meeting spaces: The university offers multiple meeting spaces across its vast campus, from small rooms to large lecture theatres
Maximum capacity: 800
Number of bedrooms: 1,200 available during the summer, plus 21 penthouse apartments on offer year-round
Day delegate rate: From £21.50
Unique selling point: The campus provides a comprehensive portfolio of conference venues, exhibition spaces and historical buildings for hire, ranging from red brick, Grade II-listed properties to contemporary theatres and syndicate rooms. On-site support services are available to ensure your event is a success.
Manchester Metropolitan University
mmu.ac.uk/venues
Number of meeting spaces: More than 100 across the All Saints and Cheshire campuses
Maximum capacity: 280
Number of bedrooms: 1,150 available out of term time
Day delegate rate: Rates available on request
Unique selling point: Offering a wide range of facilities in the heart of Manchester and Cheshire, the university provides a convenient location and plenty of choice for various events. The conference team is on hand to help every step of the way and can give you advice on specialist areas of the campus.
University of Manchester
conference.manchester.ac.uk
Number of meeting spaces: The university offers a large number of spaces across four campuses throughout Manchester
Maximum capacity: 1,000
Number of bedrooms: More than 1,300 available out of term time, plus 70 year-round rooms at the on-site Chancellors Hotel
Day delegate rate: Rates available on request
Unique selling point: The University of Manchester is able to accommodate events throughout the year at a wide range of venues. It can provide the convenience of a city centre location or the tranquillity of a property set in expansive green grounds that allows delegates to escape the hustle and bustle for a day.
Northumbria University
northumbria.ac.uk/business/accessfacilities
Number of meeting spaces: The university offers a number of facilities, from small meeting rooms to large conference spaces
Maximum capacity: 500
Number of bedrooms: Nearly 5,000 out of term time
Day delegate rate: From £28
Unique selling point: The university combines traditional venues with award-winning contemporary buildings. The diverse nature of its facilities means it can cater for small meetings and large-scale events alike. Plus, £200 million has been invested in the campuses over the past few years, giving access to state-of-the-art services.
Queen Mary University, London
qmhospitality.co.uk
Number of meeting spaces: More than 100, from small rooms to large lecture theatres and halls
Maximum capacity: 800
Number of bedrooms: More than 1,000 available from June to September
Day delegate rate: From £39
Unique selling point: Located in the heart of London’s East End, this residential university campus is situated between Stepney Green and Mile End Tube stations, two miles from the Olympic Village in Stratford and easily accessible from the business centre of Canary Wharf. The area surrounding the venue offers everything a visiting delegate could need, from cashpoints and restaurants to mainline train services at Liverpool Street.
Robinson College, University of Cambridge
robinson.cam.ac.uk/conferences
Number of meeting spaces: 19
Maximum capacity: 270
Number of bedrooms: 270 single study bedrooms in total; 20 of which can be adapted to twin rooms
Day delegate rate: The college offers both half-day and full-day rates from £37; 24-hour rates start from £144, which includes a three-course dinner and breakfast buffet
Unique selling point: Set in eight acres of undisturbed, picturesque wooded gardens, the college is only moments away from historic Cambridge city centre and offers a purpose-built conference centre with on-site accommodation. The college has a highly regarded reputation for offering value for money and an excellent level of customer service.
University of Roehampton
roehampton.ac.uk
Number of meeting spaces: The university features numerous spaces across a variety of buildings, from small boardroom-style areas to large lecture theatres and grand halls
Maximum capacity: 300
Number of bedrooms: 1,400 out of term time
Day delegate rate: From £45
Unique selling point: The University of Roehampton features a mixture of historic buildings and modern lecture halls set in open grounds, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor events. All of the venues are fitted with AV equipment and can cater for anything from board meetings to team-building activities.
Royal Holloway, University of London
conferences.rhul.ac.uk
Number of meeting spaces: 14
Maximum capacity: 400
Number of bedrooms: 24 available year-round; more than 800 during the Easter break; 2,500 out of term time
Day delegate rate: From £49
Unique selling point: The Founders’ Building mixes the beauty of Victorian architecture in original rooms such as the Picture Gallery with state-of-the-art, purpose-built conference facilities, all housed in the same venue. Located next to Windsor Great Park and just 19 miles from London, the campus makes a unique and convenient place to hold corporate events.
Swansea University
swansea.ac.uk/conferences
Number of meeting spaces: 130
Maximum capacity: 380
Number of bedrooms: 1,550 available out of term time
Day delegate rate: From £22.75
Unique selling point: Set in a stunning location in a park by the sea, the venue provides a unique setting for conferences and events. The compact campus offers catering, accommodation, meeting facilities and a first-class sports village all within a short walk. The experienced team can also deliver a full delegate management service to ensure your event runs smoothly.
