Venue Updata
From a room with a view of London's Tower Bridge, to alternative Christmas party packages at racecourses, a surge in sports at Excel and impressive new events spaces, it's an exciting time for venue news and updates from the UK.
Clermont unveils The Tower Suite with views of Tower Bridge
Clermont Hotel Group has opened The Tower Suite at Tower Hotel, by Thistle following extensive refurbishment.
The group's newly refurbished flagship events space - Clermont's largest in London - comprises a flexible conference space (pictured), which can be separated into three soundproofed areas, and large reception area offering panoramic views of Tower Bridge.
Tower Suite, which has its own entrance and kitchen, has a capacity of 500, and is equipped with advanced AV technology.
The new space joins a number of meeting rooms on the 12th floor of the hotel boasting their own views of Tower Bridge, St Katherine's Dock and East London and can be booked with access to first floor bar Vu and ground floor restaurant and terrace Vicinity.
The launch of the new meeting space is part of widespread refurbishment plans for the 801-bedroom hotel which include a redesigned entrance and lobby.
VUE launches corporate gaming packages
Vue Conferences & Events is tapping into the gaming trend by launching corporate gaming packages that can be incorporated into events, or run solely as a team building activity.
The packages, available at Vue's 93 UK locations, are curated to suit different size groups of up to 32 simultaneous players per screen and can be used as a breakout activity during a conference, or either side of a screening, as well as a standalone event.
With this year seeing the launch of many game-themed films - including Super Mario Galaxy, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter - and 54% of the population playing video games, according to a 2024 report by Video Games Europe, the packages, which give organisers a choice from a library of 2,700 games, are expected to have widespread appeal, said national conference and events manager Simona Negretto.
"Our packages are a fun addition to Vue’s conference and corporate hospitality offer. It’s utterly exhilarating to play video games on a huge screen! Plus, with so many ‘game themed’ films being released this year, I see this being a new trend that companies can incorporate as a fun addition to their event or as a stand-alone activity."
Hotel Republic adds Sonesta International Hotels to portfolio
MICE representation company Hotel Republic has signed US hotel group Sonesta International Hotels.
Hotel Republic will represent the hotel group - the 8th largest in the USA with 1,100 properties in 10 countries - in the UK.
" We are extremely proud to have been chosen to represent the chain to our UK MICE clients," said Hotel Republic managing director Kai Schomann.
"Sonesta has all the key cities on offer. New York. Miami. Boston. Chicago, San Francisco and many more. The key hotels have great MICE facilities and are ideal for international meetings."
Sonesta International Hotels' Brian Macaluso, said: "MICE business is an extremely important market for our chain, and we like to develop strong business relationships with key players in the UK meeting industry."
The Commissioner's House is transformed into events venue
The Commissioner’s House at the Historic Dockyard Chatham will open as a ‘flexible, design-led venue’ for corporate events and celebrations this July following its £3.5m restoration.
The mansion, built in 1704 for the commissioner of the Royal Dockyard, has been sensitively transformed into an events venue, boasting 12 meeting rooms hosting a combined capacity of 120 delegates. Outside, a garden with private terrace boosting capacity to 200.
At the heart of the redevelopment is the Orangery, a light-filled, contemporary space designed to host larger gatherings, while the second floor (previously unused) offers four more meeting spaces, three of which have been equipped with the latest AV facilities.
Catering will be delivered in-house under the direction of head chef Dan Austin. Menus focus on seasonal, local Kent produce and cater for daytime or evening event formats from working lunches and conference dining to banquets and outdoor BBQ experiences.
Olivia Horner, director of commercial and operations at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, said: “The Commissioner’s House has been transformed into a unique venue for gathering, in keeping with its 322-year tradition of being a place where guests are welcomed, decisions are made and stories are shared.
“We have carefully preserved its character and charm alongside the introduction of contemporary capabilities to create a menu of impressive meeting spaces where connection and shared experiences take centre stage, just as they always have done.”
ARC predicts rise of ‘anti-ordinary’ Christmas parties
Arena Racing Company (ARC) says event organisers are shunning the traditional Christmas party format for more ‘flexible, inclusive and experience-led’ festive celebrations.’
Insight from the racecourse operator and its conference and events arm YourVenue, has shown that expectations for Christmas parties are shifting. Formal three-course dinners are no longer the default option with planners now seeking more informal, interactive experiences.
Clare Marsden of Arena Racing Company said they’d seen a ‘clear shift’ in what people want from Christmas parties across all 16 of its venues.
“They are no longer about a one-size-fits-all format. There is much more demand for experiences that feel relaxed, social and easy to organise. The focus has moved towards flexibility, choice and creating immersive environments where people can connect and network in a more organic way,” she said.
ARC says it is responding to the trend with the forthcoming launch of an immersive Après Village Christmas experience at Doncaster Racecourse this festive season. For the first time, ARC will be offering both a daytime option and an outdoor space, reflecting a growing appetite for time spent outdoors and varied experiences.
Troxy increases capacity in £1.5m upgrade
London’s Grade II-listed East End venue, Troxy, has increased its capacity to 3,600 following the completion of a £1.5 million transformation project.
The project, which included the refurbishment of front-of-house facilities, saw capacity increase by 500 by re-opening previously disused basement areas.
Toilet provision has been doubled and digital cloakrooms introduced to reduce queue times and improve journeys through the venue. Two large fire exits were also reinstated.
The completed works at the venue – a former 1930s cinema – are part of a long-term investment strategy to support Troxy’s diverse programme of live music, club nights, corporate events and cultural programming.
Funding – in part – was through Troxy’s restoration ticket levy, with every event contributing directly to the ongoing development of the venue.
Troxy managing director Tom Sutton-Roberts, said: “This has been a major undertaking and we’re proud to have reached this point. Every decision has been focused on improving the fan experience and making nights run more smoothly, while unlocking parts of the building that are vital to our future.”
EICC launches third Impact Report
Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) has published its latest report measuring the venue’s environmental, societal and economic outcomes in 2025.
The venue’s third Impact Report shows it hosted 175 events last year, which generated 173,000 delegate days and contributed £76 million to the economy.
Meanwhile, EICC emitted 996.5 tonnes of CO₂e throughout the year. The average of 5.7 tonnes per event is 25% lower than the sector benchmark cited by isla’s Temperature Check.
EICC said its investment in energy management, waste systems, procurement and catering practices had contributed to a 62.8% reduction in total emissions since 2013.
Alongside environmental progress, the report highlights a series of initiatives designed to embed positive impact across communities, inclusion and knowledge exchange. They include The Exchange Initiative, the venue’s academic advisory group, which connects Edinburgh’s academic community with the business events sector.
EICC CEO Amanda Wrathall, said: “This report reflects the progress we have made and the work still ahead. As Edinburgh’s largest purpose built conference centre, we recognise our responsibility to lead by example. As a city owned venue we remain committed to measuring, managing and reducing event-related emissions, while working in partnership with organisers and stakeholders to create meaningful, lasting value through every event we host.”
Historic Barts North Wing now hosting corporate events
London’s historic venue Barts North Wing has officially opened for corporate and private events.
The venue, housed within a Grade I listed building originally designed in the 18th Century as part of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, reopened last autumn following the completion of a £9.5m restoration project.
Operated by independent charity Barts Heritage, the venue boasts The Great Hall with capacity for 280 guests which is reached via the Hogarth Stair – a grand staircase featuring impressive artwork by William Hogarth commissioned by the hospital. Two smaller spaces - The Henry VIII Room and The Treasurer’s Room are available for meetings, or small gatherings.
The venue has a modern infrastructure including integrated lighting, heating and audio systems and it works with catering company Lettice Events who provide bespoke menus for each event.
Garsington Studios joins Lime Venue Portfolio
Garsington Studios in Buckinghamshire – the home of Garsington Opera – has joined Lime Venue Portfolio.
Opened in 2024, the development designed in the style of a Chilterns’ farm building, comprises a modern network of studios and flexible meeting spaces designed to host a range of events, from conferences and corporate events to leadership gatherings and brand experiences.
The complex also has catering and dining spaces, offers outside space, is fully accessible with Wi-Fi and power options and has a small amount of on-site accommodation.
“We really believe we have something special to offer event planners,” said Lindsey Cook, at Garsington Opera. “This is a place where stories are told and ideas are brought to life - perfect for creative organisers.”
Jo Austin of Lime Venue Portfolio, added: “Garsington Studios is a venue with depth, creativity and culture, ideal for event organisers who want their surroundings to say something about who they are and what they stand for. We’re so happy to have them as a part of our portfolio and are genuinely excited for the event planners looking for this kind of venue.”
Sports events surge at Excel London
More than 500,000 sports fans and competitors have visited Excel London to attend sports and fitness events in the last 12 months.
Events included HYROX 2025, which saw 40,000 athletes use a 40,000 square metre course in front of 30,000 spectators, Gym Race, ATHX, Turf Games, World of Triathlon Live, TRYKA and Nike’s After Dark Tour. The venue also served as the registration point for 40,000 London Marathon runners.
High-profile sporting spectacles ranging from the London International Horse Show to Formula E and the T100 Triathlon – all featuring global sports personalities and live television coverage – were also among Excel’s packed calendar of events.
Sindri Hjartarson, senior account manager at Excel, said London and Excel was the ‘pinnacle destination’ for sports and fitness events.
“In addition to our world-class facilities, versatility and unrivalled transport links, our team also focuses on supporting an event’s growth ambitions. For instance, HYROX’s debut in 2021 featured just 600 athletes compared to last year’s event which boasted some 40,000.
“Our newly developed waterfront is another key draw for event organisers as we’re one of the few venues that can offer swimming and water sport options, essential for triathlon events such as the T100 which we’ve hosted in various guises since 2001.”
RCP London Events hosts AV forum
Audio visual (AV) professionals working in the UK's heritage and cultural sectors assembled at The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) London Events last month to exchange ideas, share expertise and address common industry challenges.
The AV Cultural Forum (AVCF), hosted by RCP London Events' head of AV Resources Ben Pain and AV sales and production manager Francis Burrows, looked at evolving technologies and their role in storytelling and audience engagement. It also explored the practical realities of delivering AV at scale in a heritage environment, from infrastructure and design to client experience and production delivery.
Burrows said: "In heritage venues, there’s a real opportunity to use AV as a storytelling tool, one that brings architecture and client messages to life. At RCP London Events, we believe there are no constraints, only the imagination you bring and by aligning creativity with the right technology, we’re able to deliver immersive, bespoke experiences that resonate long after the event has finished.”