The University of Cambridge’s Robinson College is planning to build a new £5million seminar block; an extension to its existing conference facilities. The new development will be located within the college grounds with easy access to the main college building. It will consist of a main room to seat up to 80 delegates cabaret style supported by three breakout rooms accommodating up to 15 delegates in each – or 50 delegates when combined.

Work on the new development is expected to start summer 2014 and finish late summer 2015. Once complete, the building will provide a flexible space which can be adapted by event organisers and help meet the growing demand that the college has seen for medium-scale capacity conference facilities in the Cambridge area.

Robinson College has a range of existing meeting rooms which are available year-round including a main auditorium to accommodate up to 270 delegates and the Umney Theatre seating up to 120 delegates theatre style. The College has 170 en-suite study bedrooms which are also available year-round.

Robinson College is located close to the centre of Cambridge, approximately ten minutes by taxi from Cambridge station.

Details: www.robinson.cam.ac.uk

The M6 motorway in Cheshire welcomes two new Ibis hotels in May 2014 - in Warrington and Knutsford. Both hotels will be branded Ibis Budget.
Ibis Budget Warrington Lymm Services: with 61 bedrooms is located on the M6/M56 motorway hub, a short drive from Manchester Airport.
Ibis Budget Knutsford: is smaller with just 32 bedrooms and is located further south at junction 19 close the southern exit for Manchester Airport and the M56.

Both hotels feature 'cocoon style' non-smoking rooms for up to two people with a bath. They have a flat-screen television and free wifi throughout. The hotels have a 24/7 reception and offer free on-site car-parking.

Details: www.accorhotels.com

Z Hotels, the boutique-budget hotel group which opened its first hotel in Soho, London in 2012 has secured finance to fund future expansion. Currently there are three properties in the group - a second London hotel is located in Victoria with their latest Z Hotel outside the capital in Liverpool.


Celtic Manor has submitted an outline planning application to build Wales International Convention Centre on land next to junction 24 of the M4. The convention centre would include a main exhibition hall and auditorium and would accommodate up to 4,000 delegates over three floors. A new car park with 1500 spaces would sit above the motorway junction with the convention centre immediately to the north linked by a covered walkway.

The site is four miles from Newport city centre. The new facility will enable Celtic Manor Hotel to compete with Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow in attracting major international conventions and exhibitions. If plans are approved for the Wales International Convention Centre, construction is expected to last two years.

Details: www.celtic-manor.com