Venue Updata

The O2 Arena will retain its name until 2038 after venue owner AEG and telecommunications company O2 agreed a 10-year extension to their naming rights partnership.

Announced on 7 October, the multi-million-pound deal is described by the companies as the largest naming rights renewal of its kind in UK history. The agreement comes ahead of The O2’s 20th anniversary in 2027.

The partnership will also bring additional benefits for O2 customers, including a 50 per cent increase in tickets available through O2’s Priority Tickets scheme. O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers will also gain Priority access to shows at indigo at The O2 for the first time.

Since opening in 2007, The O2 has welcomed more than 100 million visitors and hosted more than 6,800 events. The 23,000-capacity arena hosts more than 200 events annually.

Liverpool Experience Campus has been confirmed as the host of the Labour Party Annual Conference for the sixth consecutive year, further strengthening the city's position as the established home of the party's annual gathering.

The repeat selection reflects Liverpool's unrivalled track record of delivering a conference of national significance, alongside the scale, flexibility and waterfront setting of Liverpool Experience Campus, which provides a uniquely versatile, connected environment for events of this size and profile.

The 2027 conference will once again take place at Liverpool Experience Campus, bringing thousands of delegates, politicians, exhibitors, media representatives and visitors to the city in what has become one of the most significant events on Liverpool's annual calendar.

Legends Global has appointed Andy Price as general manager of Coventry Building Society Arena.

He will lead Legends Global's new 10-year partnership with the venue, working with Coventry City FC and the Arena team to shape its future.

Price, from the West Midlands, joins from Olympia in London. He will oversee venue operations, food and beverage, matchday hospitality revenues and drive growth in non-matchday revenue at the Arena.

The Celtic Collection has made history as the first Welsh hospitality company to be named AA Group of the Year.

More than 1,000 industry professionals gathered at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House to celebrate excellence across the UK hospitality landscape with the AA Hospitality Awards shining a spotlight on the businesses and people that deliver outstanding guest experiences, exceptional service and genuine passion for their craft.

The accolade follows a period of significant recognition and investment across the Collection’s prestigious portfolio of business, leisure and lifestyle destinations. This has been expanded through a combination of new developments, management agreements and strategic partnerships including consultancy and support services for The Retreats Group, operator of the acclaimed Twr y Felin Hotel, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory on the St Davids Peninsula.

Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter has launched a new short film showing how its frontline employees are trusted to use their judgement, respond quickly and find solutions for event organisers.

Moving between the hotel’s kitchen, event spaces, sales office and technical production, the film follows the team as they navigate changing requirements, last-minute requests and the everyday challenges involved in delivering an event.

Rather than focusing solely on the hotel’s physical spaces, the film places its people and service culture at the centre of the story, capturing the small interactions and quick responses that shape the overall experience.

GM Paul Borg (right) said: “There is a new mindset here at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle; we want our people to feel confident making decisions and doing what they believe is right for the client."

The Shepherd Mayfair is now open in the heart of London's historic Shepherd Market.

Set on the site of Mayfair’s oldest house, this elegant new 82-room boutique hotel brings together beautifully designed rooms and suites, British art, destination dining and tailored wellness experiences.

Fayre and The Lounge are now welcoming guests, with late-night cocktail bar Teddy’s set to follow in November.

Central Hall Westminster (CHW) has retained its Gold accreditation through the Meeting Industry Association’s AIM Higher programme, achieving a 96 per cent score following the independent assessment.

The assessment report organised by the MIA, gave details to recognise CHW’s commitment to delivering high standards across its meetings and events operation, with particular mentions of the professionalism of its team, the attention to each customer’s needs, continuous investment into its facilities and technology as well as an ongoing focus on improving the experience for both delegates and event planners.

The Grade II* listed venue achieved 145 out of 150 on the assessment, with the assessors finding no commonly agreed weaknesses.

After being closed to the public since 2018, Manchester Town Hall is entering the final stages of its restoration and is gearing up to reopen for corporate events from January 2028.  

The landmark has appointed its senior commercial events team, with general manager Nick Harrison and head of sales Hayley Gibson at the helm, as bookings officially open.

The appointments are led by Manchester Central, the team behind the city's flagship convention centre, as chosen by Manchester City Council to manage the events and weddings offering, as well as the forthcoming return of Sculpture Hall Café, at Manchester Town Hall.

The move brings the operational expertise behind one of Manchester's key venues to a new heritage setting, marking a significant step in preparations for the Grade I-listed building's return as a destination for corporate events and weddings. 

RCP London Events welcomed more than 400 attendees for the fifth edition of the Audio Academy Festival on 1st October 2026.

The event brought together leading figures from across the audio industry to share ideas about the future of the sector and showcase the breadth of the UK’s thriving audio industry, with conversations and experiences spanning radio, podcasting, audio storytelling and emerging technology. The festival featured a packed programme across four stages, alongside opportunities for attendees to connect directly with industry leaders.

A major highlight was the launch of the new Audible adaptation of Dracula, featuring Jonathan Bailey and Ella Purnell, with the production presented in RCP London Events’ Dorchester Library which was transformed into a dedicated Dolby Stage for the occasion.

The Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton has launched its Christmas Menus for 2026, bringing traditional festive dining to the UK's original prison training restaurant.

Operated by The Clink Charity, the restaurant gives people in prison the chance to train for City & Guilds qualifications in Food & Beverage Service, Professional Cookery, Barista Skills, and Food Hygiene, serving members of the public inside the working prison itself.

The restaurant regularly ranks among TripAdvisor's top London restaurants to visit, and in September 2026, Benugo and The Clink Charity launched a five-year partnership to create long-term hospitality career pathways for prison leavers, combining employment opportunities, mentoring and training support.