NEWS & OFFERS

Manchester Central is preparing to install a self-contained, purpose-built production studio at the leading conference and events venue.Set to be the first of its kind in the heart of the city centre, Studio at Manchester Central will offer TV broadcast-quality production facilities to help businesses professionally communicate with and engage national and global audiences virtually, or as an enhanced hybrid component to a live event.Delivered with Sterling Event Group, Studio will feature a fully integrated set with customisable LED backdrops, lighting, full audio and vision equipment and an expert crew to create professional and engaging output.The venue’s unrivalled internet connectivity - the result of a stand-alo

Without hesitation I’m sure we would all unanimously agree 2020 was challenging. However, it seems we are adaptive and innovative creatures, and (from my reading) we are all pretty optimistic as well! ‘Our industry will bounce back’, but what will it look like when it does?As we continue to fight our way through the pandemic and lockdown 3.0, I have ploughed my way through various on-line publications on the topic of predictions, expectations, trends and research for our industry. The following represents my top ten, with an emphasis on what they might mean for venues.Technology, Technology, Technology (sorry Location!)Interaction (what we all crave)Experience (keeping us engaged)Hybrid (here to stay)Social Distancing (or is it physically distancing?)Safety First

Part 2 - We will be reviewing the venue & the content and how we had to adapt our thinking.The venueIn terms of the venue, we were fortunate in this regard, but the first consideration above all else when thinking about our venue was safety. The Chamber Space, as a MIA member, used the guidelines and obtain the accreditation, as well as the ‘We’re Good to Go’ accreditation from Visit Britain. The venue also has a thermal imaging camera for temperature monitoring in reception; health declaration and track & trace QR code links; social distancing signage; one-way systems; hand-sanitizer stations through-out; and a trained team. All of which reassured us that our event would be safe.After safety, the next most important aspect needed from the venue was

Part 1 - This is the story of how we delivered a successful hybrid event and the lessons we learnt along the way.UVM Expo 2020Each year UVM EXPO has historically been a half-day, table-top style expo, with entertainment and refreshments, showcasing our members to local and regional conference & events buyers. This year was to be our third expo, originally booked for June 2020, but because of Covid-19 had to be cancelled in its original format.As the world took to virtual webinars, meetings and events, so did we. In partnership with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce & Chamber Space, we delivered a series of networking events for both memberships. This was where the initial idea to take ou

#MHFAEveryEvent & #EventprofsMatterStress Matters, the event industry workplace wellbeing organisation, who are accredited by Mental Health First Aid England, are turning to the events industry to make events safe and to support out-of-work colleagues at the same time.Laura Capell-Abra, founder of Stress Matters wants to see “the holistic safety of crew and guests considered as the industry re-opens.” In a pulse-check on the status of wellbeing in the events industry that Stress Matters conducted in May 2020, it was found that 11% of respondents reported that their employer hasn't tried to limit team stress and 44% had tried with some basic initiatives but maybe not hard enough according to the respondents.

Manchester Central has been awarded the contract to deliver events and hospitality services at Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park and Concorde Conference Centre.The win forms part of the venue’s long-term strategy to expand the business by delivering its world-class hospitality and event management services at other prestigious venues across the region.Home to the iconic Concorde aircraft, the venue offers a one-of-a-kind setting for dinners, conferences, weddings and parties for up to 700 people. Two smaller break-out rooms and an on-site café and restaurant make the park a top choice for event organisers and one of

Following the recent news that the events industry can re-open from 1st October, UVM EXPO 2020 launches its third industry exhibition – this time in hybrid format, on 1st October 2020.Brought to you by Unique Venues of Manchester and a number of incredible partners, UVM EXPO 2020 will be a conference and exhibition style event, combining both live and virtual experiences, in what promises to be an unmissable showcase for hybrid events, as it aims to attract MICE professionals from the city region, around the UK and beyond.The partners so far include Clear,

New Director Appointed as Unique Venues of Manchester plan for rebrand and roll-out.Unique Venues of Manchester Ltd has announced Beccy Gibson as a new director, as the marketing and consultancy organisation prepares to expand its services to other major UK cities.Unique Venues of Manchester (UVM), established in 2013, was set up with a clear vision to offer a collaborative community and a platform to promote high-quality event spaces and facilities in some of the city’s most exceptional and inspirational settings. Since then, it has grown to offer services for unique venues in both Liverpool and Leeds.

The INNSiDE Manchester Hotel is set to launch its new restaurant and bar, Hideout Lounge & Grill, to the public in July.Hideout will offer locals and visitors alike a completely new dining experience in the heart of the city centre, following a refresh of the hotel’s current F&B offering.With an array of great food and stylish spaces, Hideout Lounge & Grill will create unique experiences designed to suit every occasion.

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There is no doubt that we are living in unprecedented times and Coronavirus (Covid-19) is the battle of our generation. However, in my opinion, it is just the first battle in the war. The potential global economic impact following the pandemic is likely to provide many more battles ahead.But that’s all rather miserable, gloomy and glass half empty, and our media will no doubt be painting an even worse picture for us. Don’t get me wrong, I can whinge and moan with the best of them. However I do like to think I’m more of a glass half full type of person.As I’m sure many of you have, over the last few weeks I’ve been immersing myself in industry news, live streams, webinars and virtual events. There has been a plethora of choice, across multiple platforms and a whole bunch of opinions and ideas shared. Through this maelstrom, it can sometime be har

For the last two months GG Hospitality have been accommodating NHS staff, healthcare workers and medical professionals free of charge at Hotel Football and Stock Exchange Hotel, providing them with a comfortable place to stay in these challenging times.In a comment to the press, GG Hospitality CEO, Winston Zahra, explained that. “We are living in unprecedented times and we have taken these decisions in the most responsible way possible and in a way that supports our team members while also extending further support to the wider community and ensuring our business is stronger when things get back to normal”.Gary Neville, one of the main shareholders of GG Hospitality and the two properties further stated that. “We have taken this

Salford Community Leisure delegate and group tour packages available at Ordsall Hall and Salford MuseumSCL Day Delegate Rate • Exclusive full day use of one of our meeting rooms (9am to 4pm) • Tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival • Mid-morning break with tea, coffee and biscuits • Stationery (flip chart, pens and paper) • Audio-visual equipment • Two-course buffet lunch with refreshments • Mid-afternoon break including tea, coffee and biscuits • Complimentary parking on site (applies to Ordsall Hall only) £29.99 per delegate (+VAT) | Minimum of 10 delegates Team Building add-ons also available.SCL Group Tour Packages

The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has awarded AIM Gold accreditation to the conference and events venues at Manchester Metropolitan University.Gold is the highest rating in the mia’s AIM accreditation scheme, which audits venues and suppliers against a strict 50-point criteria, including quality of facilities, accessibility, legal compliance, customer service and best practice standards. Gaining gold from the UK’s only nationally recognised standard for service providers in the business meetings, conferences and events industry, represents a significant achievement for venues.  Manchester Metropolitan University caters for a wide range of conferences and events in a range of buildings including The Business School, The Benzie Building

Valentine's Day in a restaurant, the dessert has just been served and a glass of bubbles arrives, and a person drops to their knee by the side of their partner and pulls out a ring. Its a wedding proposal and they asks the inevitable big question, ‘will you marry me?’ (fortunately it's a yes!) and there's a cheer from the surrounding tables.So, with the New Year comes optimism for a better 2020 and a fond farewell to 2019. Valentine’s Day (14th February) is just around the corner. So it’s a popular time of year where people get romantic and pop the question. On the basis all goes well, the hard bits done. But then comes planning the wedding day, and generally first on the agenda is the venue.To make the choice easier, Unique Venues of Manchester has an amazing range of venues. From traditional and iconic, to modern and contemporary spaces. The venues can help organise and host your wedding ceremony, wedding breakfast or the evening reception (or all of the above). They may