Apex Hotels have announced plans to open a hotel in the centre of Glasgow. The group has acquired the Mark's Hotel which is now closed for an extensive refurbishment. It will reopen as the 104-bedroom, four star Apex City of Glasgow hotel in June 2015 - with advance bookings available online from February 2015.

Apex City of Glasgow will feature free wi-fi throughout, air-conditioned bedrooms with spacious walk-in showers. Further details will be available shortly. Apex City of Glasgow is located in Bath Street in the centre of Glasgow, a short walk from Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow Central station.

Apex currently operates eight hotels; four in Edinburgh, three in London and one in Dundee.

Details:   www.apexhotels.co.uk

Details

Published: 07 January 2015

Hits: 1615

Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street has officially opened following a soft opening in December. Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street spans three floors - levels 35 to 37 - at London’s 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the "walkie-talkie" building.

Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street is serviced by two express lifts transporting visitors to a landscaped garden at level 35 and home to Sky Pod, a contemporary bar with 360-degree panoramic views of central London. The Darwin Brasserie is located on level 36 serving classic European cuisine. On the 37th floor guests can dine at Fenchurch Seafood Bar & Grill which serves oysters, fish and crustacean as well as seasonal game, meat and vegetarian dishes.

There are three dedicated events spaces available for hire at Sky Garden, one on each level, as well as the two restaurants and a private dining room. The capacities range from 16 to 250 guests with the option to hire the entire venue with a capacity for 450 guests.

The 38-storey tower which is 20 Fenchurch Street is nicknamed the “walkie-talkie” building because of its curved shape. It was designed by architect Rafael Viñoly.

Details: www.20fenchurchstreet.co.uk

Details

Published: 06 January 2015

Hits: 1538

It is not widely known but conference organisers can book meeting space for events at Winchester Cathedral. There are three event spaces in the main historic cathedral with a choice of areas for a marquee event in the beautiful grounds.

Internally the Paul Woodhouse Suite is a blend of traditional and contemporary architecture featuring a vaulted ceiling, wooden flooring and glassed walls. It will accommodate up to 25 delegates for a meeting extending to 200 guests in the evening using the adjacent refectory and terrace.

The Prior's Hall and Chapter Room feature five tall gothic windows overlooking the Cathedral’s inner close. Prior's Hall will accommodate up to 80 delegates for a theatre style meeting with the Chapter Room as break-out space.

The Undercroft was once part of the medieval monastery’s cloisters. It features a 13th-century vaulted ceiling and pillars, polished wooden floors and a stone fireplace. It will seat 16 delegates for a boardroom style meeting.

Refreshments are available throughout the day in the Cathedral refectory.

Winchester Cathedral lies in the centre of the historic city of Winchester. There is a regular mainline train service to London Waterloo. There is good access to the M3 (junctions 9, 10 and 11). No parking is allowed within Cathedral Close although city-centre multi-storey parking is a short walk away.

Details: www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

Details

Published: 06 January 2015

Hits: 1283

Symphony Hall in Birmingham unveils its new meetings, events and banqueting space in January 2015; transforming Symphony Hall from a concert hall into new space which will also be suitable for hosting major conferences, meetings and banquets.

Custom-built tiered staging will cover the existing stalls-seating to create a flexible floor area of 600sq-mt. The auditorium will then have a banqueting capacity of 620 guests, along with breakout spaces including the new Laurent Perrier Gallery.

Symphony Hall opened in 1991 in the centre of Birmingham. With its world class acoustics it is considered to be the UK’s finest concert hall and amongst the best in the world.

Details:   www.thsh.co.uk/symphony-hall

Details

Published: 06 January 2015

Hits: 1221