Celtic Manor Resort has received outline planning consent from Newport City Council to create the Wales International Conference Centre. The conference centre will be built on land next to junction 24 of the M4 motorway and will include 322,917 sq-ft of conference space over three floors with capacity for 4,000 delegates and a multi-storey car park with 1,500 spaces.
Celtic Manor Resort now moves to the next stage of the process, preparing a detailed application for full planning permission to be heard in December.   

Details: www.celtic-manor.com/wales-international-convention-centre

Snoozebox, the provider of ‘pop-up’ hotel accommodation, has agreed a five year deal with Silverstone to develop accommodation units at the Northamptonshire race track. The Snoozebox hotel at Silverstone will be open year-round and is situated trackside on the Wellington straight at Silverstone racetrack.

Each Snoozebox bedroom features free wi-fi, an LCD television with sports channels, air conditioning/ heating, an en-suite wetroom, a personal safe, a double bed and a single bunk. Each room can sleep up to two adults and one child up to the age of 12. There is free secure on-site parking in front of the hotel. Snoozebox Silverstone has an elevated track viewing gallery, an outside terrace, club lounge and a dining area.

Silverstone hosts a range of conferences and exhibitions in addition to the 40 race meetings on its calendar, with the largest suite accommodating up to 850 delegates. Silverstone is located just off the A43, midway between the M1 and M40 in Northamptonshire.

Details:  www.snoozebox.com


The Bureau at 110 Colmore Row in Birmingham city centre has opened a new roof terrace - The Langley’s Gin Roof Terrace.

The award-winning bar is the conversion of a Grade II-listed building in the heart of Birmingham’s financial quarter. It was at one time the home of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Company, built appropriately enough with Aberdeen granite. A staircase leads down from the main bar to a basement lounge area with its own bar which is available for private hire and for events.

A revamped mezzanine level conference room will be opening at The Bureau later this summer.

Details: www.thebureaubar.co.uk

Accor has announced plans to develop two Adagio-branded aparthotels in London. The first to open will be a 217-apartment Adagio in Whitechapel Road. It opens in 2016 on the site of Black Lion House, a former office block. The 137-apartment Adagio London Stratford is scheduled to open two years later in 2018.

The one-and two-bedroom apartments, which include a kitchen and bathroom, will primarily be aimed at mid- to long-stay guests.

The first Adagio aparthotel opened in Liverpool spring 2013. Birmingham is scheduled to open next year and Edinburgh in 2017.

Details: www.adagio-city.com


Preston’s Guild Hall and Charter Theatre is set to be sold to a local hotelier, Simon Rigby, who has plans for a £1million investment in the city-centre building to create a hub for start-ups along with a restaurant, coffee shop and conference facilities. Simon Rigby currently owns The Villa Country House Hotel in Wrea Green on the Fylde.

The plans are to be discussed by the Preston City Council this week. If approved Mr Rigby could be installed in Preston Guild Hall as early as October 2014.

Details: www.prestonguildhall.com