Venue Updata
Solar panels in Vienna, speedboats in Scotland, and high fashion in Harrogate, it's all kicking off in this month's Venue Updata
British Motor Museum’s evolving spaces help organisers combat venue fatigue
British Motor Museum Meetings & Events is helping organisers combat venue fatigue by combining dependable conference facilities and service with a changing programme of exhibitions that creates something new for delegates each time they return.
For the Museum, every major new display or exhibition is effectively its version of a refurbishment. It transforms part of the venue, introduces new stories and experiences, and creates fresh opportunities for conferences, receptions and corporate events.
The latest example is Spoiler Alert: The Hot Hatch Story, which celebrates the hot hatch culture of the 1980s and 1990s through eight significant vehicles, interactive elements, classic video games, a retro soundtrack and a setting inspired by car meets and period motoring magazines.
Andy Murray's hotel reopens after major refurb
Cromlix, Sir Andy Murray's hotel in Scotland, has reopened its doors after a major redevelopment adding two new restaurants, a wellness retreat and three luxury bedrooms.
The addition of the new restaurant spaces provides more variety for guests staying more than one night and offers local diners exceptional cuisine in the Stirlingshire area.
The hotel's largest meeting room, the 18-capacity The Library (pictured) has a Banksy / Damian Hirst from Sir Andy's private collection on the wall.
The hotel lends itself to private groups on an exclusive use basis, and has lots of experience of corporate hosting groups in this context.
Successful Home & Gift Festival sets the stage for seven major exhibitions coming up in Harrogate
Harrogate Convention Centre is gearing up to welcome seven major exhibitions in the second half of 2026 as the North Yorkshire spa town continues to prove itself as one of the UK’s most successful event destinations.
Fresh from another successful edition of Home & Gift Buyers' Festival, which welcomed thousands of retail buyers and exhibitors to Harrogate over four days in July, the venue is now preparing to host seven major trade and public exhibitions over the coming months, some of which have called Harrogate home for decades.
Established in 2018, Harrogate Fashion Week takes place twice a year in February and August, and has quadrupled in size in eight short years. Featuring over 300 brands from leading womenswear clothing, lifestyle, footwear and accessory companies, the Summer 2026 Edition is set to be the biggest so far, after the February 2026 show attracted 1,700 visitors across three days, a 7.5 per cent year-on-year increase.
Georgia Flynn, event director, Harrogate Fashion Week, says: "Harrogate provides the perfect backdrop, combining a welcoming atmosphere with a destination that our exhibitors, buyers and brands genuinely enjoy returning to season after season."
From Pinterest to Prada: National Gallery reports record year for events
The National Gallery has reported its strongest year for events to date, following growing demand from brands, broadcasters and production companies looking to host launches, premieres and corporate events in iconic cultural settings.
The venue recorded a 150% year-on-year increase in events revenue and a 172% increase in the number of events held compared with the previous financial year, following the reopening of the Sainsbury Wing.
Over the past year, the Gallery has welcomed a wide range of clients, from television networks and streaming platforms to global consumer brands. Most recently, the National Gallery was used as a backdrop for the post premiere party for The Devil Wears Prada 2, while other events hosted at the venue have included the FOX premiere of The Faithful, Amazon's premiere of The Girlfriend and the London launch of the latest season of The Real Housewives of London.
Austria Center Vienna invests in future resilience with new solar power system
Austria Center Vienna (ACV) has commissioned a new solar power system that will generate part of its electricity on site.
Approximately 1,340 solar panels covering an area of 2,700 sqm will produce around 575,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. The project represents the largest single measure implemented to date as part of Austria Center Vienna’s ongoing transformation programme.
"Sustainability is increasingly shaping competition for international congresses and conventions. Today, organisers expect tangible measures rather than declarations of intent. With this photovoltaic system, we are investing in the long-term competitiveness of Austria Center Vienna while reinforcing Vienna's position as one of the world's leading congress destinations," says Susanne Baumann-Söllner, board member for congress management of the Austria Center Vienna.
Cameron House launches new speedboat experiences on Loch Lomond
Cameron House, located on the banks of Loch Lomond, has launched a new collection of luxury speedboat experiences following the arrival of Victoria, a state-of-the-art Super Air Nautique GS22 at the resort's marina.
The new addition expands Cameron House’s watersports and private charter offering, with a new way to experience the waters of Loch Lomond.
With an experienced skipper at the helm, guests can hire the boat exclusively for their group and explore hidden bays, secluded beaches and Highland scenery at their own pace, while learning about the loch’s rich history and landscape.
Alongside bespoke private cruises, the experiences include water skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, island adventure excursions and luxury half- and full-day charters featuring curated picnic or dining experiences for groups of up to eight guests.
{10-11} Carlton House Terrace reopens search for accredited suppliers in first tender since 2023
{10-11} Carlton House Terrace – home of The British Academy for humanities and social sciences, has launched its open tender for new accredited meetings and event services suppliers.
The inter-connected Grade I listed Georgian townhouses in Westminster host more than 500 events a year for 10 to 400 guests. The venue is welcoming supplier applications spanning a broad range of disciplines to help shape the next generation of partners supporting its diverse, international client base.
Catherine Owen, head of venue sales & marketing at {10-11} Carlton House Terrace, said: "Our last tender was in 2023 and expectations around sustainability, EDI and creativity have rapidly moved on. The expertise required to work in a Grade I listed building matters just as much and is central to the operational excellence we're known for. We're looking for a broad range of service partners, each bringing strong sustainability and EDI credentials, alongside relevant experience, to help set the delivery standard for every event we host."
Suppliers interested in applying can find full details and the application form at: https://10-11cht.com/the-venue/suppliers
MAD//North Returns to Aviva Studios for 2027
Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, will host MAD//North for a third consecutive year when it returns in February 2027. The announcement follows another successful showing in Manchester, which saw the event welcome 4,000 delegates from the North’s creative, media and marketing community.
MAD//North has now established a reputation and profile in Manchester that has not only seen it enjoy year-on-year growth, but also attract internationally recognised brands, speakers and influencers. This year, MAD//North brought together brands including Unilever, Bupa, Primark, Manchester City FC, Stripe, ITV, TikTok and BBC, sat alongside agencies, creators, innovators and emerging talent from across the North and beyond.
At the heart of the event itself was a design-led, original and ‘unconference-style’ approach, built around the theme of ‘Northern Soul’. The event design encouraged movement, conversation and self-curated experiences, blending content, networking and live activations.
Ridgeview Wine Estate chooses Company of Cooks as its food, drink and hospitality partner
Company of Cooks is proud to announce that it’s the new food, drink and hospitality partner for Ridgeview, the English sparkling wine producer in Ditchling, East Sussex.
This is the first time Ridgeview has outsourced its food and beverage offer and the three-year deal will see Company of Cooks bring its destinations specialism to the winery’s Rows & Vine restaurant and events space.
The team was chosen for its expertise and reputation for elevating guest experiences through great food and hospitality, as well as its shared vision of growing Ridgeview’s offer throughout the year, expanding dining opportunities across different dayparts and seasons.
Lime Venue Portfolio kicks off a summer of stadiums with three new signings
Lime Venue Portfolio has continued its year of expansion by adding three football stadiums to its growing collection of UK event venues.
Peterborough United’s Weston Homes Stadium, Watford Football Club’s Vicarage Road and Charlton Athletic’s The Valley have all joined the portfolio, further strengthening Lime Venue Portfolio’s presence across London, the Home Counties and the East of England.
Jo Austin, sales director at Lime Venue Portfolio, said: “This has been a standout year for Lime Venue Portfolio. We’re welcoming major sporting stadiums, exhibition centres and distinctive event spaces from across the UK, creating an increasingly diverse nationwide portfolio for agencies and event organisers."
Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort unveils £2m investment programme
Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort has completed a £2 million investment programme that has transformed the property, signalling a bold vision for the resort’s next chapter.
At the heart of the investment is a complete refresh of 112 guest bedrooms. Every room now features a state-of-the-art air-conditioning and climate-control system, ensuring year-round comfort. Guests will also notice refreshed lighting schemes, upgraded bathrooms and USB-C charging points.
Opening in July 2026, Dunston Hall's new three-bedroom holiday retreat, named The Bolthole at Dunston, is the standout addition to the resort's accommodation inventory. The self-contained space accommodates up to 10 adults, or 10 adults and 2 children and offers a genuinely premium group experience. It features cosy décor inspired by the Norfolk countryside, a generous living space and a fully equipped kitchen with a central dining table overlooking the championship golf course.
Second year of record non-matchday conference and events revenues at Coventry Building Society Arena
Coventry Building Society Arena has seen record revenue across is non-matchday conference and events business market for a second successive year.
Revenues have risen by 8.5 per cent, signalling a growth of 34 per cent over the last two years. The venue attracted 84 new events from May 2025 to April 2026.
The venue has also reported an increase in the average number of delegates per event and a trend of extending to additional days across conferences, exhibitions and meetings.
The Traitors: Live Experience launches new corporate catering partnership
The Traitors: Live Experience has announced a new partnership with family-led caterer Boulevard Events, bringing seasonal food and drink experiences to one of London’s most talked-about immersive entertainment destinations.
Based on the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning TV show, The Traitors (produced by Studio Lambert for BBC in the UK and NBC in the US), The Traitors: Live Experience is the ultimate game of betrayal, plunging players into the heart of the drama and transporting them into the world of The Traitors, with interiors styled on the iconic castle featured in the UK TV series.
During the action-packed experience, players take a seat at ‘The Round Table’ and, guided by a dynamic live host, participate in a high-stakes game of deception, strategy and teamwork as they engage in missions and attempt to uncover the Traitors amongst them.
The venue’s group hospitality offering will now be delivered by Boulevard Events, including custom curated menus, themed cold-served sharing boards and event catering packages tailored specifically for corporate bookings, private hires and Christmas parties.