The Barbican to invest around £2.2m improving facilities

Around £2.2million will be invested into the facilities at the Barbican during 2016 to strengthen its position as Europe’s largest combined conference and arts venue.

In particular, following external research £644,000 alone will be invested into the Frobisher rooms and Level 4 of the Barbican, which currently includes six individual conference suites with capacity of more than 170 delegates and two auditoriums with a capacity of up to 246. The research conducted was designed to advise where best to invest to enhance the delegate and event organiser experience at the Barbican.

This budget comes as part of a much wider investment strategy for the entire centre as it looks to improve excellence in both business events and the cultural side of the Barbican. In particular these changes reflect the fact that many meetings are becoming more informal and flexible, requiring the venue to develop open areas for such meetings while retaining and updating their traditional spaces.

“Significant investment in the facilities here is essential as we look to continue the Barbican’s growth, especially in the international market,” comments Jackie Boughton, Head of Sales at Barbican Business Events. “Not only will this give several areas a new lease of life but it will significantly add to the quality we already offer with our event spaces and strengthen our position in what is an ever-competitive market.”

Investments include, but are not limited to:

• Frobisher rooms & Level 4 – £644,000
• Concert Hall – £750,000
• Curve Gallery – £244,000
• Retail Unit – £589,000

The refurbishment process will be ongoing throughout 2016, but work on the Frobisher Rooms is set to be completed in early September.

Further information about utilising event space at the Barbican can be acquired by contacting the Business Events Team on 020 7382 7043, or businessevents@barbican.org.uk.