Historic Conference Venues in London: Why the past is the future

London is one of the most culturally and historically rich cities in the world. Millions of people travel to London every year to enjoy its buildings, sights and tourist attractions, meaning event organisers planning conferences in the city are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a venue with a story to tell. So, how do you choose the right conference venue for your event? And why should historic venues be on your event shortlist?

Are historic venues a good choice for conferences?

The list of things to consider when choosing the perfect historic conference venue is long, but we’ve boiled it down to our top tips for brevity.

The building’s story

If you’re looking for a building with a tale to tell, take the time to investigate its stories. Perhaps the venue was once owned by a famous historical figure, or maybe some very well-known faces once visited, or it might be that a particularly significant event took place within its walls. Communicating these stories to your guests will enhance your relationships and encourage small talk amongst your attendees. It will also help cement the fabulous memories your delegates will have after your conference.

‘Our clients love the historic surroundings and being amongst portraits of well-known scientists, such as Isac Newton or Steven Hawkings.’ says The Royal Society’s Mariana Dumitrascu. ‘Each corner of our event spaces has an exciting story to tell and delegates love to explore and learn during their events.’

Modern conference venues in historic venues. The Royal Society in Westminster

Conference facilities

It’s more than likely that your historic venue wasn’t originally designed with conferences or contemporary events in mind and, while we don’t want to discourage you following your heart once you’ve fallen in love with a property, we would urge you to put your feelings to one side and be ruthless in your analysis of its facilities before you commit to ensure the meeting space is fully equipped for your event.

  • Is the venue accessible?
  • What state-of-the-art AV facilities do you have available?
  • Are there any restrictions in place I should be aware of?
  • What extent of event branding is possible in the venue?

All properties in the Westminster Venue Collection group have been sympathetically updated, and in some cases re-configured, to meet the needs of hi-tech, high-end events. With many of the buildings having been granted Grade 1 listed status, organisers can also rest assured that maintaining the spaces’ historical importance has been perfectly prioritised providing you with the hi-tech event facilities needed to create a seamless conference experience.

Conference capacities

As every event organiser knows, you can’t ignore the numbers. The most important you need to think about are the budget and venue capacity. If the venue is stretching you too far or doesn’t have enough space for your guest list, you need to move on – even if you’ve already lost your heart to it.

Westminster Venue Collection’s members accommodate a wide range of capacities, search for conference venues using our capacity filter if you have a specific large capacity event in mind.

Central Location

Never underestimate the importance of the location of your venue – whether you’re opting for a historic building or a contemporary one. Choosing a venue in a convenient location with excellent public transport links will break down one of the first perceived barriers presented to your invitees. If you’ve got guests coming in from further afield who are looking for overnight accommodation, then it’s important to ensure your conference room is situated amongst lots of hotels to suit varying budgets. If you’d like to offer guests nearby accommodation, see which hotels are part of Westminster Venue Collection – you’ll find our referral program will get you the best rates!

You might also want to think about the pre-event and post-event activities your delegates might want to indulge in – think about shopping, theatre, sightseeing and other business opportunities. Being situated in Westminster means our venues benefit from proximity to the River Thames (great for views and attractions) as well as being a short walk or tube ride to Covent Garden.

Conference Event Venues in Westminster, London.

The corporate event team

Finding an in-house event team with whom you feel a connection is an important factor when choosing a historic conference venue. You’ll come to lean on the venue staff throughout your project and you’ll end up with a very close, working relationship. You will have to place your trust in them, so make sure you’re confident they are people you can work with.

How modern conferences work in historic venues

The juxtaposition of old and new during a modern conference at a historic event venue is a powerful tool. Not only does the contrast create fascinating talking points for delegates, it also creates a unique atmosphere which takes people out of their day-to-day head space. Changing people’s environment, particularly for anything unusual or inspiring, is a fabulous way to get creative juices flowing and to encourage them to think outside of the box.

Why host your next event at a conference venue

Many historic venues in Westminster aren’t open to the general public, which means hiring one of these buildings for an event – be it a conference, product launch or drinks reception – helps add to its sense of occasion. Your guests will appreciate the exclusive access your event is offering them which will go a long way towards creating a truly memorable day or evening.

Historic Conference Venues in Westminster

If you think Westminster could offer you the perfect venue for your next event, start shortlisting your favourite venues ready to send your event brief. You will only hear back from the best conference venues in London who can fulfil your requirements. Please feel free to get in touch via [email protected] if you have any questions.

2024 Wedding Trends: Best Advice from Wedding Venues and Planners

If you’re involved in a wedding this year – be it as a bride, groom, planner or supplier – you won’t want to miss our feature on 2024 wedding trends. We’ve hand-picked a group of experts whom work with, or for, venues within our portfolio, to get their advice on how to plan a wedding experience to remember in 2024.

From the predicted colour palettes of the year to the best wedding dates in 2024. We asked the wedding planning experts for their thoughts on 2024 wedding themes and when to start the wedding planning process.

Thanks to wedding planners Emma from Emma Jane Weddings and Leah from Leah the Wedding Planner (and bride-to-be), and to our exquisite venues, Amie Murphy, Business Development and Marketing Manager from {10-11} Carlton House Terrace, Emily Moss, Events Manager from the RAF Club, and Inga Mikusauskiene, Events Manager from the Lansdowne Club.

2024 Wedding trends 

What are the 2024 wedding trend colours going to be?

Emma: ‘We’ll likely continue to see a growing trend in brighter, more colourful palettes as couples move away from the ‘white, blush pink and green’ template.’

Amie: ‘We love seeing the highly anticipated Pantone colour of the year. This year is Peach Fuzz which is a gorgeous shade between pink and orange.’

Leah: ‘Pale pink, peach, oranges and bright colours.’

Emily: ‘I expect we will see a surge in light colour palettes this year following Pantone’s colour of the year Peach Fuzz, that brings a feeling of tenderness. With blush weddings and classic navy being expected to dominate, I imagine we will see many weddings with a light, elegant and traditional aesthetic.’

Inga: ‘The influence from Barbie is likely to continue, with pinks of all shades and plentiful flowers.’  So, experts predict that Pantone’s Colour of the Year will make a huge impact on weddings this year. With the wedding experts all agreeing delicate colours like peach, pink, and orange will be popular 2024 wedding trend colours. We believe this choice is beautiful and can be emphasised with stunning florals throughout the wedding ceremony and reception.

Any other 2024 wedding trends you’ve noticed?

The Lansdowne Club share their expertise avdice about 2024 wedding trends
Weddings at The Lansdowne Club

Emma: ‘Some of the most interesting trends we’ve spotted on Instagram lately include vegetables as part of the table flowers, wedding day content creators and an increase in quirky hand-painted or drawn stationery styles.’

Leah: ‘Long sleeve, long train dresses with longer veils with embroidery. Textured materials for wedding gowns are becoming more popular as well as the grooms adding more pizzazz to their tux or lapels with florals or a two-tone, textured jacket.’

Inga: ‘Wedding weekends, with couples extending the festivities over multiple days, wedding wardrobes, because multi-day celebrations mean multiple outfit changes, wedding cake meadows, with living flower cake displays and Champagne towers, because everything old is now new again!’

Emily: ‘There has already been a strong environmental focus emerging for 2024, couples are incorporating sustainable elements, with eco-friendly décor and locally sourced florals.’

Amie: ‘We’re seeing lots of our couples choose to reduce their guests list and have more intimate wedding celebrations.’

What are the best dates and seasons to get married in 2024?

EmmaJane Camilla Frankies London Wedding at Clapton Country Club planned by Emma Jane Weddings photos by Emmylou Kelly
EmmaJane Weddings – Image Credit: Emmylou Kelly

Inga: ‘Based on the enquiries and bookings we’ve already had, Autumn is emerging as the most popular season. The prolonged fine weather and the comfortable temperatures, which are perfect for outdoor ceremonies and drinks receptions as well as, of course, the photographs.’

Emma: ‘Unlike previous years, 2024 is seeing suppliers receive more last-minute bookings which leads us to think that the autumn/winter period might be unexpectedly busy.’

Emily: ‘Especially in London, we anticipate more autumn weddings this year. London’s charm is heightened by the warm autumnal tones.’

2024 is the year of Autumnal weddings! With the peach colour themes and Autumnal Westminster backdrops predicted by our expert wedding planners, we’re predicting a lot of truly magical weddings!

2024 Wedding Planning Trends

What’s the first step in planning a wedding?

Leah: ‘Setting a budget! Set your budget for a venue and what you’d like to be included in a package for your guests.’

Amie: ‘It’s all about research – taking the time to look over a venue’s website, social media channels and request for further information about costs and availability before booking in that all-important venue viewing.’

Emily: ‘The first step in finding the perfect wedding venue is defining your vision and priorities. Whether it’s a grand ballroom or intimate garden setting, clarifying your preferences sets the tone for a focused search tailored to your dream celebration.’

How far in advance should I start planning my wedding?

Inga: ‘Post-pandemic, we’ve noticed shorter lead times for weddings – more like 6-12 months, as opposed to two years.’

Emma: ‘If you’re open to various venues and flexible with your supplier choices, you can still plan a wedding within 12 months.’

Amie: ‘People are usually looking 12 – 18 months ahead of time. But we do find that for city weddings lead times can be shorter.’

How many times should I see my wedding venue?

Wedding ceremony in {10-11} Carlton House Terrace and 2024 wedding trend predictions
Wedding ceremony in {10-11} Carlton House Terrace.

Amie: ‘Usually, our couples visit the venue once. But depending on who is involved in the planning, I would say two visits would be sufficient.’

Emily: ‘I would advise that couples visit their potential wedding venue twice to see the space in different lights and ensure they are confident in their decision.’

Inga: ‘Hopefully, it’s love at first sight! One thing we would recommend is that it’s always good to pay a return visit when the space has actually been set up for another wedding, to give you more of an idea of how the room could look.’

What are your top tips to avoid mistakes?

 Emma: ‘There is absolutely no need to book something for your wedding day just because ‘it’s what other people do’ or for the sake of tradition. Don’t want to hold a bouquet when walking down the aisle? Don’t bother! Not a fan of cake? Your guests won’t miss it, I promise.’

Leah: ‘A lot of couples put other people’s opinions before their own and forget this is their special day. Do what you want to do and wear what you want to wear!’

Emily: ‘A common oversight in wedding planning is underestimating transportation logistics. Account for travel times between venues, especially in London, to ensure a seamless flow and avoid unnecessary stress.’

2024 Westminster Wedding Venue Trends

How can you create special moments in Westminster wedding venues?

 Leah: ‘As a northerner, I’d say don’t miss out on all the iconic London architecture and scenery. There are so many unique photo opportunities to get in London and listen to your photographer. They know the best spots, lighting and techniques to help you remember your perfect day.’

Amie: ‘Our couples LOVE to plan for a picture on The Mall. Usually with a black London taxi in the background to capture a quintessentially London moment.’

Weddings at The Royal Air Force Club
Weddings at The Royal Air Force Club. Credit: Sophie Cass

How can we make our Westminster wedding day to remember?

Emily: ‘For a distinctive Westminster wedding, draw inspiration from the regal surroundings and opt for a theme centred around British elegance. Incorporate classic elements like fine China, ornate candelabras, and floral arrangements inspired by traditional English gardens for a timeless celebration.’

Inga: ‘Why not have your photo taken in a ubiquitous red telephone box? If your wedding ceremony is taking place elsewhere, transporting your guests aboard a traditional double-decker red bus is a fun way to take in the London landmarks along the way.’

Wedding Venues in Westminster

Westminster Venue Collection members know a thing or two about hosting fabulous nuptials, with dozens of our wedding venues boasting some of the best spaces in the capital. If you’re looking for a central Westminster wedding venue for your big day, use our enquiry form to narrow down your search for the perfect venue.

Our contributors

Many thanks to:

 

The Inner Temple: Creating the Ultimate Office Christmas Party

The Christmas season is a time for merriment, joy and gathering. One of the highlights of the festive period is undoubtedly the office Christmas party.

At The Inner Temple, Christmas is one of our favourite times of year as festive parties work perfectly within the traditional and historic setting of the venue.

Planning a memorable Christmas Party may seem daunting but with careful organisation, you can create an unforgettable experience. Here are some ideas to create the ultimate Christmas party:

1. Find the perfect venue

To find the right venue, there are a host of great event agencies who can help you or go on event websites to look at different venue options. We recommend filtering down the venues by location and the capacity you need, and then seeing which of
those venues suits you in terms of atmosphere. Enquire for quotes and with the ones where the options and costings suit what your company is looking for, you can book in site visits. There is nothing like seeing the venue in person for a real sense of the space. Make sure you enquire well in advance as peak dates get booked up quickly!

2. Set the theme

A well-defined theme sets the stage for a great Christmas party. Consider whether you want a cosy gathering, for instance an Alpine ski lodge with soft lighting, bar stools, faux fur blankets on the chairs and ferns adorning the tables. Or if you want a traditional party, choose a venue with classic features and traditional theming such as Christmas trees, beautiful ornaments, twinkling lights, garlands, and poinsettia. Once you have decided on a theme, transform your space into a festive wonderland. Work with your venue to see what theming they provide, and then add to that.

Inner Temple Christmas Party Themes

3. Plan engaging activities and entertainment

To ensure your Christmas party is entertaining and engaging, incorporate activities throughout the evening. For a small party consider hosting a secret Santa gift exchange so everyone ends the evening with a present to take away. Or organise fun games such as a Christmas themed scavenger hunt: split everyone into teams and leave clues around the venue that ultimately ends in finding a Christmas themed trophy or prize. For a more interactive experience, set up a DIY craft station where guests can create personalised wreaths or Christmas decorations.

4. Curate a festive menu

Delight your guests with a mouthwatering menu that captures the essence of the holiday season. Incorporate traditional dishes like roasted turkey or glazed ham, accompanied by flavourful sides such as pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, and accompanying condiments such as cranberry sauce. Don’t forget to inform your venue of any dietary requirements and have vegetarian and vegan options available. Enhance the culinary experience by serving drinks like mulled wine, spiced cider, or a festive cocktail. You could also see if the venue can offer dessert stations for the evening rather than a plated dessert, to allow more time for dancing, along with a wider range of sweet choices for guests to choose from. A well-thought-out menu will not only satisfy your guests’ taste buds but also adds to the overall festive ambience.

Inner Temple Christmas Party Menu

Planning the ultimate office Christmas party requires attention to detail, creativity, and a dash of festive magic.

The Inner Temple is the perfect location if you are looking a traditional Christmas setting. The Inner Temple, we still have some remaining dates left for Christmas so enquire today for availability. Cheers to a holiday season filled with unforgettable celebrations!

Church House Westminster: How to plan the perfect Christmas party

Hands up if you’re already thinking about your work Christmas party? .. You’re not? – well read on anyway (you might find this blog useful at some point).

It’s the one get-together that everyone looks forward to and one of the most important events of the corporate year! Planning the perfect festive event often starts months ahead of the date itself.

We’ve put together the ultimate guide to planning your Christmas party, to ensure you’re the star at the top of the tree (and not the soggy sprout at the bottom of the serving dish)!

It’s never too early to start planning

We recommend starting in spring or summer. First, you’ll need to start by creating an event brief. Consider the various aspects you’ll need to create a memorable evening – list these; and from there; you’ll be able to work out your necessary budget. The following are key when creating your brief:

  • Venue choice
  • Catering options
  • Entertainment
  • Timings
  • Event format

Remember to leave yourself some additional budget for contingency! When budgeting and planning an event like this, it’s worth thinking carefully about the type of company you’re planning for and the people that work there. Is a formal, sit-down meal with a dress code the best option? – or would a relaxed, informal occasion with drinks and a buffet be better? The sooner this is all discussed and decided upon, the sooner you can look at venues to hire.

Of course, if you are stuck staring at a blank wall and have absolutely no idea where to start with planning; or simply don’t have the time – our in-house event planners will work through all the options and ideas that will suit you best!

It’s all in the detail….

Whether you’re an event professional, or have a completely different profession (and happen to have been saddled with the (not so small) task of organising your work Christmas party), one fact that remains true, is that it’s all in the details!…. Don’t forget to consider the following when planning your party:

Timings

What time will guests need to arrive – and what methods of transport are available?

Timing can make or break an event – take into account travel times for guests, and their activities prior to attending. Also, ensure that your guests will be able to reach your chosen venue easily, by choosing a venue that is easily accessible.

Food

Choose tantalising options, and remember to ask your guests what their dietary requirements are.

Choosing your menu is an essential element of your event. You can really add to the experience with expertly procured dishes. Luckily our caterers Searcy’s are experts at creating delicious & sustainable dishes for a variety of dietary requirements.

Entertainment

A DJ, a live band, or even a magician can create the right atmosphere and keep your guest engaged.

If you want entertainment, think about whether you’d like a band/singer or a DJ to play music during the evening. You might even want to push the boat out by getting a guest/celebrity speaker to host your event. Think about who will be attending your event; and what appeals to them.

Health Safety, and well-being

Is your venue fully compliant? Have arrangements for your guest’s safety upon departure been made?

Your guests should be made aware of transport links, safe walking routes and registered taxi companies. You may want to suggest the booking of hotels for guests who may be coming from further afield – we recommend the following nearby hotels.

Choosing a venue

When it comes to choosing your venue – you want to select somewhere that will be just as memorable as the event itself!… somewhere that will impress your guests, with an understated sophistication and charm…(it may be a shameless plug – but we think Church House most definitely fits the bill!) There’s a reason we are loved by well-known corporations, celebrities and even the Royal family.

We currently offer our exclusive-use Christmas package in our premier rooms. The Assembly Hall and The Hoare Memorial Hall offer the ideal setting for a Christmas party to remember.

Take advantage of our all-singing (not to forget, dancing) package that includes complimentary use of our cloakroom; a 3-course meal by Searcy’s; and your own dedicated event coordinator & AV technician; among several additional options.

If you would like to speak to us about our packages, and/or book a show round the venue, get in touch here, or call: 020 7390 1590.

Westminster Venue Collection appoint a new Chair of the Board of Directors

Westminster Venue Collection are pleased to announce they have appointed a new Chair of the Board of Directors, Barbara Wutte.

Following the start of Westminster Venue Collection’s new membership year, the Board of Directors and members came together for their Annual General Meeting at the beautiful Inner Temple last month.

Kindly hosted by Stacey Barber and her team on 20th September 2022, the meeting provided a great opportunity to give members an update on the recent news and exciting initiatives planned for the organisation’s coming membership year.

It was announced that Barbara Wutte, Head of Conferences at The Royal Society, will take over from Rachel Azzopardi who has been Chair of Westminster Venue Collection for the past four years.

Rachel was warmly thanked for her hard work and dedication, especially through the pandemic, and the Collection wish her well for her next ventures.

During her time on the Board, Barbara Wutte has been a key figure in the membership’s vision and growth, so her appointment came as a natural transition following Rachel Azzopardi’s resignation as Chair.

This year, the Board have decided to appoint a new position of Vice Chair for the organisation. To allow contingency planning, it was also agreed that the role of Vice Chair will then become Chair after a year of tenure.

The new position of Vice Chair will be held by Paul Martins, New Business Development Manager at Make Venues Broadway House, who has championed the collective using successful case studies. The next Vice Chair will then be elected in turn at the next AGM.

Progressively, WVC has launched a new Member Engagement and Events Committee, consisting of Kay Davies of the Houses of Parliament, Marina Papadopoulou of Church House Westminster and Jonathan Chohan of One Great George Street.

Rhiannon Thomas of Central Hall Westminster will head up plans for The Meetings Show and Thomas Mauch of the QEII Centre will continue to direct IT and website development.

Barbara Wutte, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Westminster Venue Collection says: “Member engagement is our top priority. The new WVC vision must be to increase the number of members and to strengthen our brand. This will allow us to market all our member venues with further activity nationally and then beyond”.

The WVC Board encourages venues in the Westminster region who would like to be represented to join this prestigious collection and help shape an exciting new chapter into 2023.

Discover Westminster; Showcase Success!

We have long been known for our fantastic Westminster Venue Showcase events and this year was no exception!! The 26th of May 2022 marked the occasion of our Discover Westminster; Around Westminster Venues in 80 minutes, showcase event and how special for us all to be back together and what a fantastic evening it was!

Located at the Royal Society, one of our fabulous member venues, it was great to be back hosting a face-to-face event – You could feel the excitement amongst all. This elegant setting really set the scene and created the perfect backdrop for the occasion.

The showcase was attended by event professionals from London and beyond for the opportunity to celebrate and explore our unique consortium of Westminster’s finest venues. It was amazing to see them all showing off their venues and event packages to new and potential clients. Our venue collection includes a wide variety of venue types and styles, all with their own fascinating backstory and many with historic significance.

Originally home to the United Services Club, Georgian venue 116 Pall Mall was designed by John Nash, and this Grade I listed venue still contains many of the club’s original treasures. Then we move to The Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn. Their Great Hall was opened by Queen Victoria, and not to mention, Edwardian venue One Great George Street, 18th Century RSA House, and the world-famous Houses of Parliament.

The recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place throughout the city have seen these spectacular venues celebrated in all their glory, which has led to more enquiries, but let’s not forget the incredible modern venues within the collection. The QEII Centre got the chance to boast their cutting-edge AV facilities, essential for delivering live and engaging hybrid and studio events. The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton, showcased their stylish conference spaces and luxurious rooms for overnight stays. And if you’re looking for big screen events, Vue West End have got you covered!

We were also joined by key industry suppliers, including Frew & Co rolled ice cream. Their fun and refreshing treats are perfect for outdoor summer events. The talented chefs at the Royal Society also made an appearance to showcase some sweet offerings. Dan and the team plated up a feast for the eyes, demonstrating some impressive techniques, including dry ice!

Thank you to all who attended, and especially to Barbara Wutte and her team at the Royal Society for helping our board and the Paje team to organise the event, it wouldn’t have been a success without all those involved. The drinks were flowing and the delicious canapes went down a treat, and it was fantastic to see members sharing their images across social media.

“We are so excited about the future, we have new members joining our collection, new initiatives planned by the enthusiastic board and Paje Team and our venues are back to business at 2019 levels again!  We look forward to working with you over the coming months and celebrating just how amazing London and our wonderful Westminster Collection are!”  –  Rachel Azzopardi, Chair of Westminster Venue Collection.

Our experienced sales marketing and PR partners are here to support with enquiries and help you find the best space for your events. If you’re looking to book last minute summer parties, our venues have some stunning, private outdoor spaces available for hire, right in the heart of the Capital. Contact us today and we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your occasion.

116 Pall Mall shares venue reopening roadmap

After the government announced their roadmap detailing the easing of lockdown over the next few months, 116 Pall Mall have put together their own venue reopening roadmap based on each key date, giving clients clarity on when they’ll be able to return to the building.

Just like the government roadmap, this will be a phased approach and has full details on exactly what clients can return for, including meeting and working for members, weddings, events, meeting rooms and restaurants.

They’re even opening up their stunning outside terrace and garden to the public for dining for the first time on the 12 April, to coincide with the government’s plans that allow outdoor dining to take place for up to six people. Just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street, you can take a well-deserved break from shopping (which also opens up on the 12 April) and enjoy a delicious lunch in their beautiful secluded garden.

The Terrace at 116 will be open Monday – Friday lunchtimes, with plans to open into the evening for drinks over the summer months. Find out about The Terrace at 116 and make your booking ahead of the popular London venue reopening.

All the key dates, booking information and opening details can be found on the 116 reopening roadmap, which will be updated accordingly if the government makes any changes.

8 Northumberland Avenue’s five top tips for a secure event

This month 8 Northumberland Avenue shares its top tips to ensure the safety of both private and public events and how to stay diligent:

  1. Work with dedicated security firms

Choosing a low budget firm could cost you later if they mishandle an incident and someone is hurt as a result

  1. Determine your event’s security needs

A security expert can advise you on how many security staff you need for the number of attendees

  1. Advise guests of event security policy

If your speakers or guests include high-profile personnel, you may want to implement a no-phone policy at the venue to prevent attendees from snapping unauthorised photos

  1. Screen guests and staff

Ensure that all attendees and staff have their IDs ready and that their names are on the guest list. Your security staff should be prepared to turn away anyone who has not been invited

  1. Have medical staff onsite

Proper event planning in London calls for onsite medical staff at higher-capacity events. They can immediately attend to unexpected medical emergencies and the higher-profile your event, the greater the risk of an incident. If you’re working with a budget, allocate generously towards event security

For more information about 8 Northumberland Avenue’s events, contact the team here or on 0203 263 1011

Make your budget go further with 8 Northumberland Avenue

Delivering a fantastic event on a budget can be a challenge but certainly not impossible. To help you make sure your budget goes that little bit further, 8 Northumberland Avenue has rounded-up their top tips for cutting down on cost, not quality:

Be flexible with your dates:
Choosing a Monday or Friday for your event can save you, on average, 25% on venue hire and sometimes even up to 50%. A Monday conference is a great way to initiate a productive week and a Friday reception will allow your guests to really let their hair down and with potential savings of up to half-price, you really have nothing to lose.

Think about the month
As with days of the week, some months are more popular than others. We have found that January and April are great months to book when your budget is limited, as they tend to be slightly less popular meaning prices are generally lower than more sought-after months like August or July.

Limit your options, not your quality
Opting for a limited menu means saving up to 10% on costs but at 8 Northumberland Avenue we ensure this does not compromise on quality for our guests. Our event partners AlchemyLive will guarantee impeccable food and service no matter what your budget may be and will work with you to deliver your event vision at a realistic and achievable cost.

For more information on how to deliver a fantastic event regardless of your budget, contact the team, today at [email protected]

Lights, Camera, Westminster – curtain’s up on venue collection’s starring roles

Fresh off the back of Sunday night’s glitzy Oscar ceremony, Westminster Venue Collection (WVC) has revealed its members witnessed a 30% increase in film location enquiries in 2016.

The recently rebranded collection, which features 34 members all based in London’s iconic City of Westminster, announced film locations bookings now amount up to 10% of their yearly event revenue.

With fashionable townhouses and private members’ clubs to luxury hotels, celebrated attractions, historic institutes and societies, it’s no wonder an impressive 86% of the eclectic mix of venues have been used as the locations for both the big and small screens.

Keen cinema-goers will know member venue One Great George Street has played a starring role in a range of productions including last year’s Hollywood blockbuster ‘War Machine’ featuring Brad Pitt as well as Woman in Gold (2015). The venue’s Great Hall became the Guildhall for Mark Darcy’s law society dinner in Bridget Jones’ Edge of Reason (2004) and doubled as the National Gallery where Mr Bean is a guard in Bean (1997).

The QEII Centre’s impressive and highly versatile space – the Churchill – which regularly offers a backdrop for a variety of large events ranging from conferences, award ceremonies, corporate dinners, parties and presentations provided an Oscar-winning performance in ‘The Theory of Everything’ (2014).

Other productions have seen member venues providing key locations in Calendar Girls (2003), Spectre (2015), Sherlock Holmes (TV series) and the nation’s favourite wizarding series, Harry Potter.

Commenting on the trend, Kate McCarthy, marketing manager at member venue One Great George Street, said: “From the enquiries we’re receiving, the positive trend for location bookings definitely looks set to continue for One Great George Street in 2017. We’re looking forward to welcoming a whole host of new names and stars to our venue in the coming years.”

Clare Arouche, WVC chair and head of business development at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, added: “With a host of iconic, unique and historical buildings within our membership, Westminster Venue Collection truly is a location scout’s dream and with our new and improved search function on its website, the perfect setting is just a few clicks away. We look forward to hearing about all the fantastic film and television projects our venues are involved in throughout 2017 and beyond.”

If you would like to find out more about booking one of WVC’s venues for an upcoming film, television or documentary piece please visit the venue collection page and place your enquiry.