The Holocaust Educational Trust aims to "educate young people of every background about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today."
Wanda Banks, the lead project coordinator at the trust, chose the reopened Smithfield venue in London for an event she is organising in February. Smithfield is owned by CCT Venues but until recently, only one private client had exclusive use of it.
The London charity arranges visits to Auschwitz-Birkenau for students from participating schools and colleges.
“The staff at CCT Venues said to me that Smithfield was reopening and they’d love us to try it. Previously, we have used their Docklands venue,” Banks said.
"Our events are quite simple. The February event which runs from 1pm – 6pm, will have introductory seminars for students enrolled on the Holocaust Education Trust’s trips to Poland and Germany.
“It’s to prepare students for the visit abroad, and we needed breakout rooms for smaller seminar discussions.”
The Holocaust Educational Trust has a large number of suitable venues to choose from. “We have been running projects for about 20 years, so we have built up a big list across London and the UK,” Banks says.
“We do tend to go back to the same venues as we have established a good working relationship. Having the trust in CCT Venues as an organisation led to us thinking it was a good option to try out.
“In terms of Smithfield specifically, I think the location is definitely a key factor. Really central and accessible as well as being in a nice part of London.”
The venue is located less than five minutes’ walk from Farringdon and Barbican stations (and only one stop from Kings Cross).
Banks has a great deal of trust in CCT Venues - so much that she has not yet seen the actual venue, as it is still being renovated. “I’m hoping to go in early January before we have our events later on in the year,” the lead coordinator says.
As a precaution to the Smithfield’s venue not being ready on time, “CCT Venues have put the dates into the Docklands venue, so we have full cover if anything happens,” Banks adds.
“They give us good, fixed rates. They know what we do, and the premise of the kind of events we are running. Having a venue that knows what we require means that it is so much easier for us and we don’t have to constantly go through booking details or when the lunch breaks will be. They know the set-up of our events. They have all of that information beforehand.”
The renovated CCT Venues-Smithfield.The renovated CCT Venues-Smithfield, which opened on 20 January, is situated above the Victorian Grade II listed Smithfield Market in Farringdon, London. The interiors have retained its historic features, such as the multi-coloured wrought-iron windows.
The venue offers 13 flexible rooms, capable of accommodating between 6 and 220 delegates, all on one floor, with an open plan reception area, lounge and restaurant.
“The location has always been quirky and a refreshing change from Corporate London. Being based above a vibrant working market is interesting and as the market traders work through the small hours of the morning and pack up as we as we start work, we enjoy the atmosphere but no disturbance,” says Caroline Bull, CEO of CCT Venues.
“It is exciting to be bringing this characterful space back to the open market after five years of loyal service to one client. “
CCT Venues-Smithfield is offering a special discounted Day Delegate Rate of £53.50 (excluding VAT) or 10 per cent off all room hire rates for all bookings held before 1st April 2020.
Holocaust Memorial Day is marked each year on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The theme for 2020 is Stand Together.
