02 April, 10 | General Conference NewsFour new venues join Norwich & Norfolk Conference Bureau
From the heart of Norwich city centre to the panoramic East Norfolk coast, venues offering superb facilities to organisers for conferences, meetings and events.
In the contemporary Norwich landmark, The Forum building, is a new state of the art auditorium for 134 in raked seating. The Curve offers the finest high-definition equipment in the city giving the presenter maximum control over presentations and sound. Outside, a foyer offers a convenient space for networking and refreshment breaks while a breakout room and substantial exhibition space is available nearby.
During the day The Forum becomes the headquarters for the bustling studios of BBC Look East and delegates can also experience Fusion, a giant digital screen gallery, the largest in Europe. In the evening the mood changes and the venue becomes a glittering space ideal for gala dinners of 320, buffets and receptions for 500. Public parking is available below the building. For more information visit www.theforumnorwich.co.uk, or call Pete Marron on 01603 727961 .
Staying in Norwich city centre, there are two new and unique venues in heritage buildings. Norwich’s impressive Anglican cathedral has placed The Hostry building on the site of the original built in 1068. Like it’s predecessor, it welcomes delegates into a ground floor exhibition and networking space with a light-filled, airy conference space above on the first floor seating 120 theatre style. The Refectory adjacent is ideal for meals from business breakfasts to dinners. For more information visit www.cathedral.org.uk or contact Susan Brown on 01603 218300
The ‘Open’ Conference Centre was originally the local headquarters for Barclays Bank and its ornate cornices and plasterwork have been beautifully restored. The main floor can be used flexibly to accommodate 400 delegates theatre style or 1400 standing for receptions. The orginial management offices complete with impressive fireplaces and plasterwork have been converted into a range of seminar rooms. For more information visit www.open247.org.uk or contact Ann Tattum on 01603 252117
Moving to the coast, The Zest Business & Pleasure rooms at Potters Leisure Resort are located on the eastern Norfolk coast midway between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
Flexibility is the key at this first class facility. Events can be run in the newly created Zest conference and hospitality centre, the International Arena, one of the largest indoor spaces in East Anglia or the Atlas Theatre with state of the art theatrical lighting and sound seating up to 800.
This is what organisers are saying about the new venue: "Our Awards Evening at Zest Rooms was the best thing we have ever done and nothing but compliments all round." Linda Thornton, Lowestoft & Waveney Chamber of Commerce. “Thank you to the team at Zest for looking after us so well on Friday evening. Everything was fabulous from start to finish… I will have no hesitation in recommending Zest, and we certainly intend to be back again next year." Rebecca Lowrey, Orwell Housing Association Ltd. For more information visit www.pottersholidays.com/Business-and-Pleasure or contact Jill O’Loughlin 01502 734 805
Norwich has its own international airport with daily flights to the major European hub in Schipol, while Stansted is just over an hour’s drive away. There are two direct trains an hour from London Liverpool Street to Norwich. Journeys to London King’s Cross, from King’s Lynn in the west of the county, offer access to Stansted and take under two hours.
Contact: The Norwich & Norfolk Conference Bureau provides a free venue finding service and impartial advice to help plan an event. Contact Bureau Manager Ginny Edwards on 01603 638422 or . See www.conferencenorfolk.co.uk for a full list of services and venues.
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