6 of the best unusual venues

Abstract

Pre-event planning Natural handmade cosmetics firm Lush holds four events a year for its UK general managers and their trainees, and needed to host its September event in a location that was easily accessible for staff from its 98 UK stores. The Dorset-based company had previously used Bournemouth's De Vere Royal Bath Hotel in March, having been impressed by the function rooms' natural light, open areas and attractive gardens.

Headnote

There's a wealth of choice in the southcoast town for event planners in search of something different. By Ben Bold

Cottonwood Boutique Hotel

For a quirky alternative to the conventional hotels Bournemouth has on offer, try the Quantum Hotel Group's newly refurbished seafront Cottonwood Boutique Hotel. Decked out in near-psychedelic pinks and fuchsia tones, balanced precariously with Edwardian design elements, it will undoubtedly polarise opinion. But its contemporary spaces should appeal to brands looking to hold small-scale events. Many of its 32 bedrooms boast 180-degree views of Poole Bay. For meetings, a 1960s-style library can accommodate 16 theatre-style and 14 boardroom-style, and The Gallery will seat up to 40 theatre-style. For those looking to host a larger event, adjacent sister hotel The Ocean View offers four events rooms, including the Viscount Room, which can host 200 theatre-style. Day delegate rates start at £22 per person.

www.quantumhotelgroup.com

The Crab at Bournemouth

The success of award-winning celebrity eaterie The Crab at Chievely inspired its owners to open a sister restaurant in Bournemouth. The premium seafood restaurant - situated directly across the road from the south coast's largest conference and events venue, Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) - can seat up to 80 and prides itself on a menu of seasonal, locally sourced seafood. The Crab will host corporate groups of up to 40. To hire die entire restaurant and feed 40 diners from the à la carte menu, will cost around £3,000, excluding alcoholic drinks. The restaurant adjoins the recently refurbished Park Central Hotel.

www.crabatbournemouth.com

The Haven

As its name suggests, the four-star Haven offers groups an escape from the grind of life. Recent investment has seen a refurbishment of its 60 bedrooms and a £850,000 revamp of its pool area with rattan daybeds imported from India, and Harmony Spa and treatment areas. The venue's beachside interior boasts terraced lounges and eating areas including La Roche fine-dining restaurant. The Haven's location means fhat corporate events can extend onto the beach - a recent corporate event featured a funfair with carousel, coconut shy and barechested jugglers. Conference and event faculties include the self-contained Purbeck Suite, which can hold 150 theatre-style. The Haven's owner, FJB Hotels, also owns the nearby Water Sports Academy, giving delegates access to activities such as kite surfing and windsurfing.

www.fjbhotels.co.uk

Hallmark Hotel & Spa

Following a recent £2m investment, the 78-room Hallmark attained coveted four-star status in January Conference organisers can use its six conference suites, each of which is named after types of wine grape. The largest, the Merlot, can accommodate 200 theatre-style, 40 boardroom-style, 100 cabaret-style and receptions for 250. Guests can luxuriate in a Roman-style spa, or be pampered in one of four beauty treatment rooms. For wannabe pilots, there is the chance to pilot a 747 or Sikorsky helicopter, but in the safety of a professional flight simulator. Day rates start from £25 per delegate.

www. hallmarkhotels.co.uk

Citygate Centre

Bournemouth will see the launch of a new conference venue and exhibition centre in the last quarter of 2012. The Citygate Centre will incorporate a 750 theatre-style auditorium suitable for training days or seminars. For organisers of exhibitions, a purpose-built loading bay will allow cars, boats and large machinery to be driven directly into the auditorium. With nearby access to hotels and restaurants across the East Cliff, the centre will also feature three conference suites for smaller-sized meetings.

www.swithunscentre.co.uk

Bournemouth International Centre and Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

The town's flagship event venues, the BIC and Pavilion, are to open a drama centre and cafe, the result of a £1.2m joint project between the council, BH Live and the Arts University College of Bournemouth. It is due to open in January 2012 and will be available for corporate hire. The extra space comes following a deal that sees BH Live, the town's leisure and cultural trust, bring catering for the two venues in-house, and plough £4. 5m into the local economy

www.bhlivehospitality.co.uk

DIRECTORY

BH Live

CONTACT Karina Gregory

TEL [phone]

EMAIL karina.gregory@ bhlive.co.uk

WEB www.bhiive.co.uk

CASE STUDY Lush

Pre-event planning Natural handmade cosmetics firm Lush holds four events a year for its UK general managers and their trainees, and needed to host its September event in a location that was easily accessible for staff from its 98 UK stores. The Dorset-based company had previously used Bournemouth's De Vere Royal Bath Hotel in March, having been impressed by the function rooms' natural light, open areas and attractive gardens. Lush's objectives were to discuss its forthcoming Christmas product range, inform staff of business issues and sales performance and to engage delegates in a series of workshops. Steve Brackstone, Lush's head office manager, says: "The whole event is designed to inspire people and motivate them to go back to their stores and 'sell' the new products to staff."

Challenges Brackstone says that the main challenge was logistical: "Getting everyone down to Bournemouth on time. Bournemouth is a good location because it's easy to get to by train or coach and we have a no-fly policy. Logistical planning also played a part at the event itself- moving delegate groups from room to room, to ease congestion and keep people moving."

Solution Brackstone, who does not use an agency because of the "many innovative and passionate people" the company has in-house, hired his own preferred suppliers to provide the lighting and AV equipment for the event. In keeping with the colourful spirit of the Lush brand, the event was given a 'Billy Bonkers' theme - a play on Willy IVonfea - with the hotel decked out in garish style. The main stage in the De Vere Suite, where business presentations were held, was dressed as a "mad laboratory". The culmination of the event was a dinner, for which the hotel's chef sourced special ingrethents to produce dishes that resembled Lush products. "It's ironic, as our products are designed to resemble food," Brackstone says. Standout dishes included a six-foot-long sponge candy cane.

Post-event analysis Brackstone says: "The hotel staffare friendly and helpful and always easy to find. They get involved and are not afraid to get their hands dirty. I think we'll use the hotel again. The only downside for us is the bar -where we hold breakouts in groups - as it was also open to the public." Lush held a feedback meeting after the event and plans to conduct in-depth post-event analysis for future events. Brackstone is currently organising Lush's next event in November for its international partners.

FACTFILE

COMPANY Lush

EVENT Quarterly manager meeting

GROUP size 250

AGENCY in-house

DATE 12-14 September 2011

VENUE De Vere Royal Bath