The edge of glory

Bristol is on the verge of something big. The next few years are set to see the meetings and events offer in the South West’s largest city transformed, as the city repositions itself on the international stage.

With a wide range of sector specialisms from creative and digital to engineering and fintech, strong rail links and a growing international gateway in Bristol Airport, the city is well-placed to make the step up as a major destination.

And right now, the city is seeing big increases in its conference and event capacity with major venue expansions and developments.

City centre venue Bristol Beacon reopened in November 2023 following a five-year, £131 million transformation. It now boasts two international standard performance venues, a bright new restaurant and its cellars in use for the first time as education and performance spaces.

Formerly the Colston Hall, Bristol Beacon’s spaces include the 2,000-plus capacity Beacon Hall, the 500 capacity Lantern Hall and the new 200 capacity Weston Cellar. The contemporary and versatile venue is already proving popular for conferences, with the Association of Independent Festivals bringing 350 delegates to its sold out Festival Congress 2024 in February.

The venue’s modern makeover has also incorporated some of the much-loved features from its previous incarnation, such as the Byzantine arches that once fronted the old concert hall. These arches house the new restaurant Colonnade, which offers a refined take on contemporary European cuisine, with seasonal menus and daily specials showcasing local produce.

The city centre’s biggest hotel conference venue, Delta Hotel by Marriott Bristol City Centre, is also undergoing a multi-million pound makeover, due to complete in the summer. Its 19 event spaces can host events of all sizes, and with 300 rooms it’s ideal for residential conferences. The largest space, the Bristol Suite, caters for receptions of up to 600 and dinners of 450, making it one of the largest event spaces in the South West.

The hotel rooms boast spectacular views over the city, while its large car park and close proximity to both motorway and rail networks make access straightforward.

Creative scene

Bristolians have long been at the forefront of UK culture, from Banksy to Massive Attack, and nowhere is the city’s vibrant creative scene better on show than at Wake The Tiger, a so-called ‘amazement’ park on the edge of the city centre.

Opened in July 2022, the fantastical, interactive and immersive art experience is the brainchild of the creative team behind the Boomtown Fair festival for the last decade. Billed as an edgy alternative to the traditional art gallery, Wake The Tiger is a journey to the magical realm of Meridia, where visitors are invited to lose themselves across dozens of uniquely imaginative rooms where imagination and exploration are the order of the day.

The venue’s unique blend of steampunk, New Age, futurism, Victoriana and much, much more have proved a massive hit with all ages. OUTERverse, the second phase of the venue’s ambitious plan, opened in February with 10 new rooms and experiences. The venue is also available for exclusive hire for events including receptions, dinners and awards ceremonies – speak to the venue for further details.

Following a period of closure due to fire, Bristol’s science centre, We The Curious, will be reopening its doors this summer. Centrally located on the historic harbourside, the Grade II-listed building will reopen with refurbished, versatile event spaces for conferences, dinners, award ceremonies and meetings. The Rosalind Franklin Room – currently being refurbished – is 468 sqm with capacity of 80-240 cabaret, 80-460 theatre, and 80-300 for dinner and is taking bookings from July 2024.

I stayed in the Clayton Hotel Bristol City, based in the former Edward Everard printworks in Broad Street. Behind the distinctive Grade II-listed Art Nouveau facade you’ll find 255 bright, modern rooms, alongside well-equipped hi-tech meeting and event spaces.

The hotel has a dedicated meetings and events floor featuring six modern and bright meeting rooms, an outdoor courtyard, conference lounge, and a private entrance and drop off point. With a range of layouts and dining options for up to 63 delegates, it’s ideal for training, board meetings and private functions.

Meeting and treating

The city’s food and drink scene is thriving and ever-changing and provides plenty of inspiration for planners. Bristol-based gin distillery 6 O’clock Gin has taken over Glassboat, a, well, glass boat available for private hire that makes a perfect location for a cocktail masterclass or sundowner on board. The knowledgeable staff can guide you through the range of gins on offer and the event space is perfect for a high-end drinks reception.

A stone’s throw from the Glassboat, The Granary’s take on locally-sourced seasonal and sustainable cuisine launched in late 2023 with a menu based on small plates and main dishes cooked on an open fire. The flatbreads are a must, while downstairs The Granary Club pays homage to Bristol’s musical legacy with cocktails and live music. (Fun fact: The Granary Club is also the location of a slice of British history – it was the location for the famous scene in Only Fools and Horses where Del Boy falls through the bar.)

If you and your delegates want to lunch like a local, just head to St Nicholas Markets, where you can grab almost any kind of cuisine you fancy, from Korean fried chicken and southern US barbecue to Middle-Eastern wraps and hearty local pies. Join the queues on weekday lunchtimes, Tuesday to Friday.

Shining future

The future of events in Bristol is only set to get brighter, with a couple of huge developments in the pipeline.

The home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears rugby club, Ashton Gate’s array of meeting spaces, in conjunction with its sports and concert capacity, is already one of the leading event venues in the South West. That’s set to receive a boost with the development of Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter, which will see a 4000-seater sports and convention centre built next to the stadium. With 4,000 sqm floorspace and a 232-room hotel, work is expected to start later this summer.

The centre is set to be home for the Bristol Flyers basketball team, while there will also be a new adjacent urban village development, Longmoor.

In the north of the city, the long-proposed YTL Arena Bristol would be the largest indoor arena and exhibition centre in the South West. Currently with a completion date of late 2025/early 2026, the development would see the home of aviation icon the Concorde, the Brabazon Hangars, transformed into a 19,000-capacity carbon neutral live events destination. The East Hangar will offer 6,000 sqm of pillar free floorspace and a 20m ceiling height, ideal for exhibitions and conferences. Watch this space.