Nottingham Castle

The self-styled capital of the East Midlands, Nottingham has a fine portfolio of events facilities and good connections to all corners of the country. Add in a rich mix of cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, over 13,000 bed spaces and 300 restaurants and bars and you have a popular destination with meeting planners, says Andy Hoskins

The legacy of Nottingham’s prosperous textile and lace industries is evident today in the grand Victorian architecture that pervades the city – a city in which, more recently, the likes of Boots, Raleigh and Paul Smith were all founded. Today, its main business district lies on Maid Marian Way while the vast Old Market Square – spruced up in 2007 – remains the city’s focal point. Events venues span the ages, from the 12th-century Newstead Abbey to newcomers such as The Carriage Hall.

WOW FACTOR
Name: Albert Hall
Address: North Circus Street, Nottingham, NG1 5AA
Tel: 0115 950 0411
Email: conferences@alberthallnottingham.com
Web: www.alberthallnottingham.co.uk

Rebuilt in the style of an Edwardian music hall after fire swept through it in the early 1900s, Nottingham’s impressive Albert Hall was given another significant refit when it was sympathetically converted into a dedicated meetings and events venue nearly 20 years ago. Many of its original features remain prominent, not least the arcing roof, sweeping galleries, sculptured columns and giant pipe organ – something of a local treasure – which all help maintain its grand heritage. There’s 11 separate rooms across three floors, the largest of which is the Great Hall, capable of hosting up to 700 delegates theatre-style. The Osbourne Suite is ideal for large banquets, there are three rooms each with capacity for up to 70 guests, a further five syndicate rooms for a maximum of 24 people, plus a smaller boardroom featuring period design, Oak panelling and crystal chandelier. There’s wireless internet throughout the venue, parking is available at nearby hotels, and AV equipment is available for hire.

QUIRKY VENUE
Name: Nottingham Castle
Address: Friar Lane, off Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6EL
Tel: 0115 853 3015
Email: privatehire@ncmg.org.uk
Web: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Not the medieval castle of old where legend has the Sheriff of Nottingham crossing swords with Robin Hood, but the ‘Ducal Mansion’ built in the late 1600s by the Duke of Newcastle on the site of the original castle. Today, it’s both a public museum and private events facility, with the Long Gallery popular for memorable receptions and dinners for up to 150 guests. The venue’s café, complete with terrace and panoramic views across the city, is available for evening hire and is best suited to canapé receptions, small parties and dinners for up to 50 people. A third option is the Nemi Room, a versatile option for meetings, seminars and training, with capacity for 40.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Name: The Carriage Hall
Address: Plumtree, Nottingham, NG12 5NA
Tel: 0115 937 53 00
Email: enquire@thecarriagehall.co.uk
Web: www.thecarriagehall.co.uk

Once a goods shed for the old Plumtree railway station, The Carriage Hall opened its doors for business as an events venue late last year after an extensive and well thought out renovation project. It’s in a rural setting six miles outside of the city so transport arrangements will need to be in place – or delegates made aware of the ample onsite parking facilities. Delegates can expect quality cuisine influenced by the neighbouring and multi-award-winning Perkins restaurant, another project of The Carriage Hall’s owners. The events space itself is comprised of the Saunders Room, Mezzanine and Main Hall, the latter for theatre-style events of up to 120 delegates. Delegate rates start from £45 per person, there’s wifi access throughout and a range of AV equipment is available for hire.

ON A SHOESTRING
Name: Britannia Hotel
Address: St James’s Street, Nottingham, NG1 6BN
Tel: 0115 988 4072
Email: res728@britanniahotels.com
Web: www.britanniahotels.com

The Britannia is one of a number of hotels at Nottingham’s budget end of the scale, but what the Britannia has that the others don’t is the Albany Suite, which – with capacity for up to 600 – is among the city’s largest events venues. Of course, a space of that size will be of limited interest to many, but it’s worth knowing that there’s a further eight purpose-built conferences rooms at this city centre hotel, each with natural daylight, air conditioning and panoramic views across the city. The hotel has 166 guestrooms – rates start from £39 – and there’s free wireless internet throughout.

WIRED UP
Name: The Nottingham Hilton
Address: Milton Street, Nottingham, NG4 2FH
Tel: 0115 934 9700
Email: katie.hernandez@hilton.com
Web: www.hilton.co.uk/nottingham

In the heart of the city, at home in a Victorian grade II-listed building, is the 176-guestroom Nottingham Hilton. It features all the usual hallmarks and high standards of the Hilton family and, for delegates with time on their hands, there’s an 18-metre pool, spa and gym. The hotel has ten meeting rooms to choose from, ranging from the Wembley Suite for gatherings of up to 200 delegates, down to the Wentworth room for smaller groups of between ten and 20. On the technology front, there’s wireless internet access available throughout the hotel, videoconferencing facilities are available on request and there’s a business centre open from 8am to 6pm. For those on-the-spot queries and requests, meeting rooms feature handy ‘call’ buttons that go straight through to the hotel’s dedicated events team.

SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED
Name: Robins Wood House
Address: Robins Wood Road, Aspley, Nottingham, NG8 3NH
Tel: 0115 854 1616
Email: conferences@emfec.co.uk
Web: www.robinswoodhouse.co.uk
Located on Nottingham’s western edge, close to the M1, is Robins Wood House, a modern venue set up for small meetings and events under the stewardship of the specialist training and education organisation EMFEC. There are five recently refurbished, air-conditioned rooms (think bright and simple), one of which – the Data Space – is fitted out with eight computer workstations. Delegate rates include on-site car parking, choice of cold buffet menus and use of audio-visual equipment at the venue.

Nottingham info
How to get there: There are regular rail services from London, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham. For air connections, East Midlands Airport lies to the south of the city, while Robin Hood Airport, nearer Doncaster and Sheffield, is another option.
Local transport: The Nottingham Express Transit tram system has proved popular since its launch, and a variety of tickets and cards can be bought, some of which can be combined with travel on the city’s bus network.
Key sights: Nottingham Castle, the Lace Market area, City of Caves and the city’s numerous old and charming pubs.
Contacts: Nottinghamshire Convention Bureau:
tel: 0115 962 8313;
email: conferences@experiencenottinghamshire.com;
see: www.visitnotts.com/conferences

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