Scarman's doors reopen after £2 million refurbishment

The doors of Scarman, the largest of Warwick Conferences’ three training and conference centres, have re-opened following an extensive renovation and refurbishment programme.

Taking place over the Summer, over £2 million has been invested to provide the public areas at Scarman a brand new look and feel. The Reception, Gallery, Lakeview Restaurants, Lounge and Bar have been completely revamped to further cement Scarman’s place as one of the leading venues of its kind in the UK.

These areas have received new floor and wall coverings, decoration, flooring, windows, furniture and refreshment facilities. Six syndicate rooms have also been upgraded to incorporate built-in AV equipment.

Low energy lighting has been introduced in line with Warwick Conferences’ ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its venues. In July this year, it was awarded Gold Status by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) after being assessed for the Association’s Green Star accreditation scheme.

Alan Robinson, director of training and conference centres comments: 'The works completed to Scarman over the summer are indicative of our ongoing commitment to providing delegates with modern, clean, efficient and purposeful facilities. The upgrades completed not only ensure this objective continues to be met and even exceeded but will also introduce efficiencies made possible by modern technologies.

'With Scarman celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the investment is a fitting birthday present to a hardworking and respected venue.'

The investment forms part of a multi-million refurbishment programme announced in the latter part of 2010. Works already completed across the Warwick Conferences estate include the refurbishment of the bedrooms and private dining facilities at Arden and extensive upgrades throughout Radcliffe.

For more information call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk 

Bollywood blockbuster filmed at The University of Nottingham

A spectacular, time-travelling Bollywood movie is being filmed this month at The University of Nottingham with the historic buildings of University Park and the ultra-modern Jubilee campus as its backdrop.

The film is called Teri Meri Kahani and is being directed by rising Indian star director Kunal Kholi.

It’s the story of a couple who embark on a romantic journey of eternal love through different lives that start in contemporary London and Nottingham, go back in time to the Punjab of 1910 and forward to 1960s Bombay.

Bollywood superstars Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor play the lead roles, Krish and Radha, two young people who find themselves destined to be together no matter what the era, location or circumstances of their multiple and varied lives.

Filming has already taken place in India and in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. Currently the cast and crew are working at numerous locations around the University including large open-air dance sequences involving 100 dancers on the campus parkland, as well as interior scenes in lecture theatres, cafes, the Hallward library and halls of residence.

Cyrus Patel, UK Line Producer for the project said: 'It’s been a wonderful opportunity to film at one of the most prestigious and picturesque universities in the UK. The staff have been brilliant to work with and have ensured our shoot has run smoothly from start to finish.

'The actors, directors, producers and crew have had a great experience filming here and I would recommend this as a very cinematic location for all future films coming to the UK.'

Chief Estates and Facilities Officer at The University of Nottingham, Chris Jagger said: 'Helping a Bollywood cast and crew deliver a large scale movie like this has been something out of the ordinary, but also a very enjoyable and rewarding challenge for the University’s dedicated conference office team.

'They have done a tremendous job juggling the required filming logistics, people movements and updated daily schedules around both University Park and Jubilee Campus with the minimum of disruption or inconvenience to normal university campus activity.

'I am sure that everyone involved will be eagerly awaiting seeing the finished result.'

Teri Meri Kahani will be released in India early next Spring with a worldwide distribution of the film shortly afterwards.

Improved A421 brings even easier access to Wyboston Lakes

There’s no doubt that a growing number of event organisers are fed up with the negative impact which traffic congestion, unreliable transport links and expensive, inconvenient parking have on events organised in city and town centres. However well organised the event is, its impact can be significantly reduced if delegates or guests are frustrated, late or more concerned with getting home.

Out-of-town venues like Wyboston Lakes eliminate all these risks, especially when they’re well served by convenient road links, stations and airports, and offer plenty of free parking close by the venue.

We’ve certainly acquired more clients during the year for this reason. We’re literally a few metres away from the A1, and short drives away from the M1 and the M11 – with a mainline rail station in our nearest town which is five minutes drive away. And also due to the fact that each of our three venues has large free adjacent car parks!



And now, we’re even easier to get to with the opening of the newly dualled A421 in the Bedford area, giving our visitors an even faster link with the M1. It has eight miles of new dual two and three lane carriageways, cutting congestion, reducing journey times by two thirds and improving safety on the route.

For more information call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk 

Boot Camps mean Business!

A new Cotswolds-based company is aiming to start a quiet revolution in business training.

Cotswold Business Boot Camps launch this autumn at Cotswold Conference Centre on the 370-acre Farncombe Estate near Broadway, Worcestershire.

'We have developed a new style of high-intensity training, as closely allied to the real workplace as humanly possible,' says CBBC director Mark Higgins. 'The Boot Camp concept applies brilliantly to business training, without the need to get cold, wet or physically exhausted,' adds co-director Jeff Farish.

Each Boot Camp takes place at the Cotswold Conference Centre, which has eight dedicated training rooms, extensive outdoor spaces with team-building activities and panoramic views over the Vale of Evesham.

'The environment is a big part of what we do,' says Mark. 'There aren’t sterile training rooms like you find in a hotel. The landscape is stunning and we use it to create stimulating and memorable events. The centre’s flexible approach allows us to get on with what we do best.'



High-tempo approach

Cotswold Business Boot Camps offer fast-track change that meets real business objectives. Its high-tempo approach is delivered by trainers who have years of expertise in public, private and charity sectors.

'Our philosophy is to provide clear, simple and effective programmes that enhance leadership and business performance. We don't need high ropes and assault courses to achieve that.'

Nick Akerman, head of sales at Cotswold Conference Centre, is delighted to be hosting the new Boot Camps.

'Mark and his team have been bringing customers to us for the past 12 years and we know they are some of the best trainers around,' he says.

'Their delegates return to work invigorated and ready to apply their experience to the real world. In a tough economic climate, it takes intensive training to make a real difference.'

For more information call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

Toilet provision is no laughing matter at Woodland Grange

It’s what you see first and last that leaves the greatest impression, and for many venues that means the washroom facilities.

Woodland Grange has just completed washroom refurbishment upgrade, offering plush and spacious facilities to delegates throughout the venue. What’s more, with free Wi-Fi, you really can make sure no time is wasted when you are out of the office on business!

Eugenie Hales, venue manager comments: 'It is important that we offer our delegates outstanding amenities in every respect and this means taking into account things that often aren’t seen as important like the toilet facilities. We want each and every visitor to arrive and leave with the best impression possible. By listening and putting ourselves in our clients’ shoes we can continue to ensure this is carried out effectively.'



An impressive residential conference venue in Warwickshire, Woodland Grange is continually improving its facilities to ensure it meets and exceeds the high standards of today’s delegate. As well as providing facilities which are second-to-none, customer service is central to the service on offer at Woodland Grange. It is fair to say that the team doesn’t do venue and event management by halves; every single staff member takes total ownership of customer care and this is endorsed by a management team that encourages staff to be empowered and as a result, proactive.

Offering delegates a building full of character, state-of-the-art facilities, 16 acres of beautiful grounds - and a convenient location at the heart of the motorway network (the M40, M42, M6 and M69 are all within a 20 minute drive), Woodland Grange really does have it all. One of only eleven conference venues in the UK to have achieved the Accredited in Meetings (AIM) Gold Award for superb meeting room facilities, Woodland Grange is also a Conference Centre of Excellence, the highest measure of quality within the conference venue sector.

 For more information contact 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

Conference Aston keeps it local when it comes to the perfect breakfast

Conference Aston’s Lakeside Centre in Birmingham city centre has discovered the venue’s reputation is growing in the Caribbean and Asian communities of Birmingham as the place to celebrate love and romance.

With the number of weddings rapidly on the increase, the Lakeside Centre is pleased to announce a number of partnerships with local catering companies which will offer the best traditional cuisine in the city for these events.

Christine Page, Head of Sales and Marketing for weddings, conference and banqueting, comments: 'With an increase in Asian and Caribbean weddings, we’re keen to ensure that our budding brides and their husbands to be have a simple, stress free experience with us.

'By creating partnerships with catering specialists in these areas, our brides have one less thing to worry about because we can put them directly in contact with organisations who have met our quality criteria.

'Each event will have one of our dedicated event planners throughout the planning process and a manager on the day to work with the appointed caterer; this will allow the bride and groom to enjoy their day without any worries on the day.'

The venue has continued their commitment to the local Birmingham area by focusing on catering companies from the region.

Christine continues: 'These preferred suppliers have been individually selected for their quality and customer service and have undergone an inspection of their food production and systems to ensure that the highest standards of service are met.

'They’re also based in Birmingham and the Midlands, so not only are they on the doorstep for the bride and groom, but we’re supporting local business'.

The specially selected caterers that Conference Aston is partnering with are renowned for their outstanding standards of service and cuisine; couples can relax, safe in the hands of:

• Five Rivers – Asian Cuisine - www.thechefskitchen.co.uk

• Sukhdev’s Catering Services – Asian Cuisine - www.sukhdevsfood.com

• The Deep Experience - Caribbean Cuisine - www.caribbeanrestaurantbirmingham.co.uk

'We believe in embracing the many cultures of Birmingham and by working closely with these carefully selected local suppliers, we can ensure we provide the highest standard of service on the most important and romantic day of their life'.

The Lakeside Centre at Conference Aston, in the heart of Birmingham, is a self-contained venue which is ideal for self-catered events and celebrations including birthdays, weddings and Mehndi ceremonies.

The Lakeside Centre overlooks the Chancellor’s Lake in the heart of Aston University campus and boasts a spacious reception area and the potential to host celebrations on the ground and first floor banqueting suites.

The ground floor banqueting rooms can accommodate up to 170 guests with an adjacent room offering a casual seating or reception area and when combined with the first floor, can accommodate an additional 350 guests with an adjacent reception area.

For more information call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk 

Fresh thinking: new menus, faces, virtual tour and discount offer for new customers

Roffey Park has refreshed its range of menus using locally sourced, high quality ingredients, including those from our own kitchen garden, to offer complete flexibility for our clients. The team of experienced chefs are also on hand to design menus to suit any occasion or theme.

The Hospitality Team at Roffey Park also welcomes a new member to the team with the appointment of Nancy Rosen as Hospitality Services Manager. Nancy’s responsibility will be to ensure that all our clients receive the excellent hospitality that they are used to and will play a key role in looking after our wedding guests on their special day.

A virtual tour is now live on our website offering full 360 panoramic views of all the meeting rooms, grounds and facilities.

So why not consider Roffey Park for your next event and sample our new menus for yourself, as well as meet Nancy and the rest of the hospitality team.

They are offering a 20% discount off all day or 24 hour delegate packages for new bookings between 5 September and 30 November 2011. 

For more information call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk