Industry news for the Hotel and Conference business

Welcome to our website for the savvy hotel and conference professionals. We provide business news, newsletters, extensive reference material, and free to enter competitions. Venuebooking offers insights to the industry from a new perspective to keep you in touch of the world out there.

Mercure Leeds Centre opens September

Mercure Leeds Centre opens September

Mercure Leeds Centre is set to open this...

Indigo coming to Chester

Indigo coming to Chester

Construction has started on the new...

Dalata plan new Manchester Hotel

Dalata plan new Manchester Hotel

Dalata Hotel Group is planning to open a new...

Dalata plan new London Hotel

Dalata plan new London Hotel

Dalata Hotel Group will be the operators of a...

New Hotel opens in Glasgow

New Hotel opens in Glasgow

  A new hotel has just opened in...

  • Mercure Leeds Centre opens September

    Mercure Leeds Centre opens September

  • Indigo coming to Chester

    Indigo coming to Chester

  • Dalata plan new Manchester Hotel

    Dalata plan new Manchester Hotel

  • Dalata plan new London Hotel

    Dalata plan new London Hotel

  • New Hotel opens in Glasgow

    New Hotel opens in Glasgow

It has taken a three year regeneration programme to convert the former Chiltern Street fire station in Marylebone, London into a hotel. The Chiltern Firehouse finally opens in May 2014 with 26 suites. Originally built in 1889 by Robert Pearsall, the Chiltern Firehouse is regarded as fine example Victorian gothic architecture. Chiltern Firehouse has been renovated by hotelier André Balazs who operates a collection of luxury hotels including the Mercer in New York and Chateau Marmont in Hollywood.
The Chiltern Firehouse restaurant, which is already open, features a large open kitchen at its heart and is operated by Michelin-starred chef, Nuno Mendes.
It is a three minute walk from Chiltern Firehouse hotel to Baker Street tube station in central London.

Details: www.chilternstreetw1.co.uk


Plans to convert the Commercial Buildings on Cross Street in central Manchester into a 290 bedroom hotel have been given the go-ahead by Manchester City Council. The new hotel we understand will be a Motel One. The Commercial Buildings are opposite the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. The 19th century façade will be retained but the rest of the building will be demolished and replaced with an eight-storey hotel with shops and a restaurant at ground level.

The Cross Street hotel will be the second Motel One in Manchester. The first, a 330-bedroom hotel, is already under construction in Whitworth Street.


The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is to build a new centre for athletic development in the grounds of Pennyhill Park Hotel as part of the team's preparations for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The centre will provide an indoor 3G training space with associated gym, a changing room and training facility storage plus an external running track.

The RFU have enjoyed a ten year relationship with Pennyhill Park, having first made use of the hotel facilities in the build up to the triumphant Rugby World Cup 2003. The England team returned to Pennyhill in August 2008.

Pennyhill Park Hotel is a luxury 123 bedroom hotel and spa built in the 19th century and set in 120 acres of Surrey parkland between Ascot, Sunningdale and Wentworth. It is 40 minutes from Twickenham and 45 minutes from the centre of London.

Details: www.pennyhillpark.co.uk


The Wellcome Collection in London embarked on a major development project last August to transform it into a bigger and bolder venue with gallery space and featuring a dramatic new spiral staircase. The Wellcome Collection will be open for venue hire again from May 2014.

The development will open up 30 per cent more gallery space and double the venue's capacity for public events. There will also be a new restaurant in addition to the existing cafe.
Level 1 of the Wellcome Collection includes a new gallery plus a new studio for live programmes. Level 2 houses the new restaurant. There is additional exhibition space and study space on both levels 2 and 3.

The Wellcome Collection is located in Euston Road, a short walk from Euston, Kings Cross and St Pancras International rail terminals. Euston and Euston Square are the nearest tube stations.

Details: www.wellcomecollection.org


The Plough Inn at Fulford in York has just undergone a major refurbishment adding six new boutique bedrooms at the 300-year-old former coaching inn. The kitchen has also been extended and undergone a major facelift.

The bedrooms are ensuite and have flat screen televisions, tea and coffee making facilities and free wi-fi connection.

The Plough Inn at Fulford is a short drive from York station and easily accessible from the main A64. There is free parking at the inn.

Details: www.the-plough-inn-york.co.uk