Central Hall Westminster has achieved the ECOsmart Gold Venue Award for its exemplary green credentials introduced over the last five years.
The unrivalled accreditation programme is run by Greengage Solutions, which recognises and supports eco-friendly hotels and conference venues throughout the country that meet certified standards of sustainability. Central Hall Westminster is one of only six venues in London to have achieved the Gold level award.
The industry standard accreditation is awarded to hotels and venues which meet five key areas for sustainability including; energy and water conservation; waste management and recycling; rooms and facilities; food & beverage; and corporate and social responsibility.
Central Hall Westminster achieved the coveted Gold Award for its ‘extensive measures taken to fully embrace environmental sustainability’. Over the last five years, these have included:
Installing specially adapted taps to reduce water wastage
Being the first venue in the country to partner with Green Tourism to launch a carbon calculator to help organisers calculate their carbon footprint and offset it via a tree-planting programme
In conjunction with on-site catering partner, Green & Fortune, ensuring sustainable catering practises including avoiding unnecessary waste, using seasonal local produce where possible, minimising the use of packaging and bottling its own water on site
Ensuring zero waste goes to landfill
Installing ECO LED lights in all its meeting and event rooms
Recycling all hardware quarterly
Training all staff in green initiatives including reusing, recycling and the circular economy
The venue also has a dedicated green team of sustainable champions within its workforce to help drive further sustainability initiatives forward.
To achieve the Gold standard, Central Hall Westminster went through a rigorous audit by Greengage Solutions who take an objective and detailed look at each application.
Andrew Perolls, CEO of Greengage Solutions, comments: “We applaud Central Hall Westminster for taking extensive measures to fully embrace sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Achieving our ECOsmart Award at this level is exceptional. We were impressed with the dedication to introducing green initiatives throughout all areas of operation, from catering to recycling. It is clear that being an environmentally-friendly venue is in its DNA.”
Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster, concludes: “We are delighted to have achieved the coveted ECOsmart Gold Award and as a not-for-profit organisation which exists to maintain our beautiful early 20th century building and donate to charitable works around the world, being eco-friendly is hugely important to us. We are proud of the dedication staff and suppliers have put into this to make it happen and we will continue to look at ways to become an even greener venue in the future.”
With guidelines restricting larger numbers for weddings, 116 Pall Mall has launched a new exclusive intimate wedding package for up to 15 people.
For wedding breakfasts and ceremonies that adhere to the regulations without losing their magic, 116 Pall Mall has been creating beautiful smaller weddings for far longer than the government has been telling them to. Think intimate fine dining under twinkling lighting in breathtaking surroundings with a team of intimate wedding experts.
The 116 team will work closely with you to ensure your wedding is as safe and special as possible and will remain flexible to any government updates. The team would love to give you a face-to-face show-round so you can get a feel for all the spaces available.
To start off the year 2021, 110 Rochester Row is offering a 30% discount on all delegate packages for events taking place in January and February 2021.
Delegates are welcomed for in-person events to enjoy socially distanced menus in secure and comfortable surroundings.
The offer is subject to availability and applies to new bookings only.
To find out more or to book an event using this discount, contact the team on 020 7828 2888 or email [email protected].
Church House Westminster hosted one of the biggest domestic boxing bouts of 2020 as Hall-Of-Fame Promoter Frank Warren celebrates forty years in professional boxing.
On Saturday 28 November, Dubois vs Joyce took place at historic Church House behind closed doors. The fight was broadcast live on BT Sport and saw Joe ‘Juggernaut’ Joyce claim the British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight championship.
In an incredible reversal, the domestic heavyweight clash was not pay-per-view. Frank Warren, said: “This is about keeping boxing alive and relevant at a tough time and doing something for the fans.” Warren was keen to point out that the Covid outbreak and its negative effect on UK jobs and livelihoods were on his mind as he decided to scrap plans to make the fight pay per view. The blockbuster November event, branded with the apt tagline ‘At Last’, represented the final chapter in a saga that has seen April, July and October dates cancelled because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
On Saturday 5 December, boxing fans anticipated another exciting evening of live boxing on BT Sport with Yarde vs Arthur facing off behind closed doors at Church House.
Warren added: “I’m delighted to be able to confirm such a spectacular venue to host two weeks of fantastic big-time boxing. It’ll be a more than fitting way to celebrate my forty years in professional boxing. Both these bouts are battles for the history books, so it makes sense they’d take place in a venue so rich in history. Winston Churchill announced the sinking of the Bismarck inside this venue, and soon we’ll know who out of these boxers will sink or swim.”
The Westminster venue’s largest event space, the Assembly Hall, took centre stage as the main studio. The Hoare Memorial Hall functioned as an interview and media room, whilst post-fight conferences took place in the Bishop Partridge Hall. A number of other rooms, also located on the first floor of the venue were utilised as flexible changing rooms, storage and staff quarters.
Inside the Assembly Hall, BT Sport presenters were joined by two-weight world champion Carl Frampton and former WBA heavyweight champ David Haye. Commentator boxes inside the Assembly Hall for live coverage featured radio sport pundit Steve Bunce.
The evening started at 6pm when the first of eight matches started off with the undercards which included Hamzah Sheeraz, David Adeleye and Jack Catterall.
From 8-15 October 2020, London’s QEII Centre seamlessly delivered X3DMedia’s NXT BLD (Next Build) conference virtually, extending its reach to 1,400 people. The conference, which explores emerging technologies and how they will impact the future of architecture and construction, had intended to run as a live event on one day in June 2020 but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was postponed before the decision was taken to run it online in October.
Objective
X3DMedia had planned to run its NXT BLD conference – a conference that brings to life how emerging technologies will impact the future of architecture and construction – as a one-day live event at QEII with a web broadcast in June. However, as restrictions were in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 the Centre was closed to events at this time and the conference was unable to go ahead as planned.
When it became clear the live event would not be able to happen, QEII’s sales team worked in partnership with X3DMedia and its organiser, AEC Magazine, to adapt and still deliver its successful fourth event covering the innovations in digital fabrication, robots, 3D printing, IoT, generative design, virtual and augmented reality, real time design visualisation and lots more.
The resulting online event took place over six days in October.
Execution
The team at QEII worked in unison with X3DMedia on a plan to run the NXT BLD conference online, using QEII as its main base.
The event’s extensive line up of 26 expert speakers are located around the world and were unable to visit the UK, but it was important to the success of the virtual conference that some level of consistency was maintained through its delivery. Therefore, X3DMedia decided to record all linking pieces from the stage in the Mountbatten Suite at The QEII Centre. London-based speakers were also welcomed to record their sessions at the venue. Delegates were also able to submit their burning questions and participate in a live Q&A with the speakers, following their presentations.
Members of QEII Live’s expert team were on hand to help with the technical aspects of the event, including the audio and the stage set. QEII also provided the necessary bandwidth through its 2Gbps building-wide supply to enable X3DMedia to stream the event to its online delegates. Instead of taking place over one day, X3DMedia decided to hold the event over six days for 1.5 hours a day, broadcasting three, 20-minute speeches with links.
Results
X3DMedia had aimed to reach 1,000 people through its virtual NXT BLD conference. With the virtual format executed by QEII, however, it was able to surpass that goal and reached 1,400.
Martyn Day of X3DMedia praised QEII’s flexible and professional approach to putting on the postponed event and ensuring it could reach its audience. He said: “QEII went above and beyond to stay open for us to film, just as everything in the UK looked like it was taking a turn for the worse and pricing the event within my original payment schedule. We had a great experience from our past event there and were pleased with the outcome of this new innovative format.”
Thanks to the continued positive relationship, X3DMedia has confirmed that NXT BLD 2021, which will be a physical conference and exhibition, will be held at the QEII Centre London on 16 June 2021.
Westminster is home to some of London’s most versatile and eclectic venues, offering blank canvases or ready-made stage productions for all manner of filming locations. From beautifully adorned backdrops to set the scene for period dramas, to vast private outdoor spaces to host mock festivals, consider our collection of venues for your next filming project.
Lincoln’s Inn
Dating back to 1422, the 11-acre estate of Lincoln’s Inn, located in the heart of Holborn, offers a wonderful array of historic halls, traditional rooms, beautiful gardens and spacious squares. The diversity of the exterior and interior listed buildings provide a range of choice for your upcoming filming project. The estate is the ideal backdrop for blockbuster films, TV productions and documentaries in need of period surroundings and the Halls and Library are particularly suited to a traditional themed setting. By contrast, the brand-new conference centre offers an interior space for a crowd base or ancillary services as well as a modern day set. Previous productions filmed at Lincoln’s Inn include DC Universe’s 2015 blockbuster ‘Wonder Woman’, the highly acclaimed ‘The Theory of Everything’ and Guy Ritchie’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’.
If you are interested in filming at Lincoln’s Inn, contact the team at [email protected].
One Great George Street
One Great George Street recently scooped the coveted title of ‘Best Film Location Venue’ at the Prestigious Star Awards. The venue provides an ideal internal setting for feature filming, period dramas and television series. Film and drama-makers love its many features when looking for an impressive historic setting. A variety of spectacular backdrops are ideal for stately film locations and historic television filming areas available. A dedicated event co-ordinator will collaborate with location managers, film production crews, film directors and photographers to suggest the most suitable space in line with the theme and budget. Previous films have included Fast and Furious 6, Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason and many BBC television productions.
For more information or to make an enquiry call 020 7665 2323 (option 1), or email [email protected].
The QEII Centre
Based in the heart of Westminster, The QEII Centre is the largest dedicated conference and events space in Central London. Large spaces include The Churchill and Mountbatten suites, holding up to 1,300 people, while the centre also boasts medium and small spaces to host smaller meetings and events. The venue’s sixth floor has floor to ceiling windows offering stunning views of Westminster and Big Ben and is often used for drinks receptions. QEII is regularly used by film crews looking for flexible space. It featured as one location for the BBC series The Capture in 2019 and has more recently served as one location for political thriller Roadkill starring Hugh Laurie.
For more information, contact the team at +44 20 8078 5752.
IET London: Savoy Place
IET London: Savoy Place carries a timeless grandeur and commanding presence, visible from London’s South Bank as you cross Waterloo Bridge and offers panoramic views over the River Thames from its roof terrace. Extensive space for filming spans four floors with additional outside space in a location easily accessible by rail, tube and river. From Made in Chelsea’s rooftop parties, to the Prime Minister’s political briefings, the venue and its experienced team are well versed in delivering excellence for your filming needs. Its flagship spaces include a dominating lecture theatre hosting up to 450 people and the Riverside Room for 330 people, with vast natural light, London views and optional use of the roof terrace. For more intimate scenes, Savoy Place boasts a characterful Library and a series of smaller meeting rooms.
For more information, get in touch on +44 20 7344 5479.
RIBA
RIBA at 66 Portland Place represents the best of British architecture and is, in places, almost untouched since 1934. The versatile grade II listed building I set across six floors and complemented by unique features, such as its double height entrance hall, showstopping marble staircase, Art Deco detailing and triple height atrium. Florence Hall is an expansive space with etched glass doors, carved stone and patterned flooring, while the RIBA gallery is a modern, blank canvas. RIBA’s stunning Art Deco building has featured in many high-profile films, including Goodbye Christopher Robin, Guerilla, Woman in Gold and The Man from Uncle, as well as TV drama Silent Witness and an advert for luxury vehicle brand Jaguar. The unique architectural detailing is perfect for mid-century modern and contemporary film and photoshoots with ample space to accommodate cast and crew, and as the building is not currently open to the public or staff, it can be very flexible with bookings.
Presenting an outdoor space unlike any other in London, Regent’s‘ grounds are encased in landscaped tranquillity, offering four acres of private space where the countryside meets the city. Comprising of pristine lawns and lush foliage, Regent’s creates a magical setting for filming festival scenes, weddings, summer garden parties and period dramas. Inside, Herringham Hall offers high ceilings and tall, arched windows – an impressive space which lends itself brilliantly to dynamic events including launches and parties. The Tuke Common Room is another signature space with original art deco features, wood panelling and views over the lawns. Well-equipped on-site kitchens could also be made available for cooking shows. The campus benefits from the rare advantage of on-site parking in central London, offering plenty of space for filming crew and their vehicles to access.
For more information, get in touch with [email protected] or call +44 20 7487 7540.
116 Pall Mall
116 Pall Mall is a spectacular film and TV location with magnificent Georgian architecture. A Grade I building just moments from iconic London locations, such as Downing Street, Mayfair and Covent Garden, 116 has featured in a wide range of historic moments, TV programmes and films, including Downton Abbey, Gandhi, The Dark Knight, Foyle’s War, Margaret Thatcher’s eulogy for President Reagan, Made in Chelsea, Parks and Recreation and Strike. The building’s luxurious interiors include handsome period features and a wide range of versatile and flexible spaces across five floors.
Church House Westminster is located within leafy Dean’s Yard and offers a peaceful setting for filming along with stunning views of Westminster Abbey. The venue offers stylish backdrops which include both intimate rooms as well as large airy spaces. Polished English oak panelling, Art Deco chandeliers, and classically inspired architectural details can be seen throughout the building. Curved corridors and modern staircases accommodate both live-action shoots and still photography. The extensive and versatile film location venue provides 19 event spaces that can easily accommodate wardrobe changes and catering areas. Stunning 360-degree rooftop views across central London from the 7th floor of the film location venue is ideal for news reporting, shooting pieces to camera for interviews and documentaries or photography shoots with iconic London landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye as a backdrop.
While our venue collection may not be celebrating Christmas in true office party style this year, we wanted to bring some festive cheer to our colleagues and clients and ask you to join us for walking in a #WestminsterWonderland.
In a year where things have been far from normal, many of us have taken to the great outdoors for leisure and the benefits of such has been a regular feature of the news since the first lockdown in March. Taking care of one’s physical and mental health is so important, now more so than ever, and we think it’s the perfect excuse to don some winter wear and explore London with a takeaway hot beverage and to revel in the festive lights of the West End.
Along the way, you will pass many venues in our collection and we encourage you to share your pictures by using #WestminsterWonderland.
There is no right or wrong journey to take, that is the beauty of it! So, if you find yourself in one of the below areas in the City of Westminster, take note of the venues you’ll be passing as you take in the magical light displays!
Venues in Marylebone: Cavendish Conference Centre – Cavendish Venues
Royal Institute of British Architects
Regents Conference & Events
Lights to see near Marylebone: Marylebone Village Oxford Street New Bond Street Carnaby Street
Venues in Mayfair: BAFTA Piccadilly
The Lansdowne Club
Lights to see near Mayfair: Claridge’s Burlington Arcade Fortnum & Mason Regent’s Street
Venues in Covent Garden: The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn
London Transport Museum
IET: Savoy Place
RSA House
Vue Cinema London – West End (Leicester Square)
Lights to see near Covent Garden: Trafalgar Square Seven Dials The Strand Embankment towards Southbank
St James’s: London Library
116 Pall Mall
The Royal Society
{10-11} Carlton House Terrace
Lights to see near St James’s: Jermyn Street Waterloo Place St James’s Market Pavilion
Westminster: One Great George Street
QEII Centre
Central Hall Westminster
Broadway House
Church House Westminster
Houses of Parliament
110 Rochester Row
Doubletree by Hilton London Westminster
Lights to see near Westminster: Parliament Square
We’ll be sharing our #WestminsterWonderland on Instagram Stories, so visit our profile to see the latest!
Venue Collection
Hire prestigious, unique and unusual London venues and facilities with Westminster Venue Collection.
The Westminster Venue Collection’s venues range from fashionable townhouses and private members’ clubs, to luxury hotels, celebrated attractions, historic institutes and societies.
As the world sharpens its focus on climate change and what we can do to slow it down, the event industry – along with a whole host of other businesses – is raising its game….
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
