Despite its size and cultural significance, Bristol can present something of an unknown quantity to many in the meetings business, says Ben Lerwill

THE South West is often overlooked when it comes to UK events, and its largest city tends not to draw the same levels of attention as some of its national counterparts. This is a forward-thinking destination, however, and while it may lack a mass-scale convention centre its venue portfolio is an impressive one.
The city enjoys a strong reputation for its pioneering music and film scene – Bristol was short listed for this year’s European Capital of Culture – and it attracts flocks of visitors with its very British mix of the historical and the avant-garde. But away from its cultural legacy, which stretches from Brunel to Banksy, the city also stands tall as a centre for business. Its conference bureau is switched on, group hotels are numerous and the visitor infrastructure is neatly developed. For small- to medium-sized events, closer inspection is definitely advisable.

Wow Factor
Name: Leigh Court
Address: Leigh Court Events, Business West, Leigh Court Business Centre, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3RA
Tel: 01275 373 393
Email: enquiry@leighcourt.co.uk
Web: www.leighcourt.co.uk

Leigh Court is a Grade II listed building on the outskirts of Bristol. Originally a Tudor mansion and for centuries a witness to the extravagances of the aristocratic set, it specialises today in (generally less raucous) corporate events. The main house was fully rebuilt in the early 1800s from local Bath stone, resulting in an elegant Palladian exterior and a range of ornate interiors. There are seven separate rooms available for hire, all grand and eyebrow-raising in their own way, while 25 acres of parkland on the doorstep mean good potential for team-building activities. Sitting close to both the M4 and M5, it also has decent credentials for hosting car launches. The venue is owned by Business West, the Chamber of Commerce for the West of England.

Quirky Venue
Name: SS Great Britain
Address: Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY
Tel: 0117 922 5737
Email: events@ssgreatbritain.org
Web: www.ssgreatbritain.org

Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s remarkable SS Great Britain was billed as the world’s first luxury liner, clocking up almost a million sea miles after its launch in Bristol in 1843. The ship is in happy retirement these days, attracting hordes of visitors to its harbour mooring and laying on a memorable setting for meetings and events. Exclusive hire is available for between 30 and 140 guests, with a number of different spaces on hand. Its exterior top deck is perhaps the prime choice for a reception while the first-class decks and saloons below throw up options of their own. There are also a number of modern facilities both in and around the ship, including a 100-seat lecture theatre.

New Kid On The Block
Name: Cadbury House Hotel
Address: Frost Hill, Congresbury, Bristol, BS49 5AD
Tel: 01934 834343
Email: use contact form on website
Web: www.cadburyhotelbristol.co.uk

Located close to both the city centre and the international airport, the Cadbury House Hotel is a colourful – and well positioned – new addition to the books of the conference bureau. The four-star property offers 72 beds, a health spa and AA-rosette restaurant. Facilities are spread across two adjoining buildings, an 18th century main house and a new-build annex, and this tradition-meets-modernity approach makes the hotel an appealing choice. There are ten meeting rooms on site, providing space for a maximum of 300 delegates – wireless internet connection is available across the venue, while a number of booths and lounges provide areas for informal meetings.

Money No Object
Name: Berkeley Castle
Address: Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire, GL13 9BQ
Tel: 01453 810332
Email: info@berkeley-castle.com
Web: www.berkeley-castle.com

Despite Berkeley Castle sitting some 20 miles from Bristol itself, the city conference bureau is very eager to claim it as one of its own – and it’s not hard to see why. Considered one of the foremost examples of medieval domestic architecture in the country, the castle dates back some 900 years. Today it offers a majestic setting for conferences, product launches and receptions, with its portrait-laden Great Hall and galleried Long Drawing Room just two of the different spaces available. Indoor meetings can be arranged for up to 150, while the castle’s terraced gardens – including Elizabeth I’s bowling green, no less – are also available for event purposes.

On A Shoestring
Name: Hannah More Primary School
Address: New Kingsley Road, St Philips, Bristol, BS2 0LT
Tel: 0117 9039936
Email: hannahmorep@bristol.gov.uk
Web: www.hannahmore.org.uk

An excellent option not only for those on a budget but also for companies wishing to pay more than lip service to corporate social responsibility. All money raised by the school goes directly back into provision for education and the community, but that’s not all – it’s also a great venue. The conference facilities are of a strong standard, with highlights including a purpose-built meeting room, a new sports hall with projector screen and induction loop, and an IT suite complete with 21 computers. The venue can accommodate groups of up to 120 delegates and enjoys a good location in the heart of Bristol. Catering can also be arranged. The school is named after a Bristol writer and philanthropist of two centuries ago.

Wired Up
Name: eOffice Bristol
Address: 1st Floor Prudential Buildings,
11-19 Wine Street, Bristol, BS1 2PH
Tel: 0870 898 3388
Email: bristol@eoffice.net
Web: www.eoffice.net

The eOffice business model has been successfully rolled out in Birmingham, London and Manchester, and its premise is a simple one – serviced offices and meeting rooms that provide flexibility, sharp design and up-to-date technology. Its Bristol site is located a short walk from Temple Meads Station and offers boardrooms and conference halls for up to 20 and 100 respectively, all equipped with plasma TVs and free wifi access. A videoconferencing room is also available – as are smaller spaces for interviews, training and one-to-one meetings – while group catering can be arranged by request. Delegate rates for boardrooms and conference halls start from £34.99 per person per day. Spaces are also available by the hour or the half-day.

Small But Perfectly Formed
Name: The Bristol Conference Centre
Address: The Wylands, Lower High Street, Shirehampton, Bristol, BS11 0DA
Tel: 0117 982 2266
Email: bris.conf@btinternet.com
Web: www.bristol-conference-centre.co.uk

The names of the eight meeting rooms at the Bristol Conference Centre have an appealingly rural sound to them – Yew, Beech, Willow and Cedar among them – and while the venue is no country idyll they sum up the unrushed feel of the place quite aptly. The largest space hosts just 50 delegates theatre-style, and a location four miles away from the bustle of the city centre gives it a pleasant atmosphere. The centre was established in 1994, but occupies an attractive period building that dates back a lot further. Free car parking is available on site, and the venue also offers in-house catering options. Access is a key selling point for prospective clients, with Junction 18 of the M5 located just four minutes away.

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