Unusual Venues Showcase: New and improved

BLACK BOX

Web: www.blackboxbelfast.com

Located in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, Black Box is an arts centre with theatre space and conference facilities. Up to 200 delegates can be seated theatre-style in the main auditorium, while the Front Room can seat 60.

Since opening in April this year, it has hosted seminars for the Northern Ireland Arts Council and a launch event for the Government's Big Deal grant initiative. Venue manager Neil Jacques suggests event organisers make use of the venue's connections with the art world and follow their conference with a concert, comedy or literary performance.

THE BLOOMSBURY BALLROOM

Web: www.bloomsburyballroom.co.uk

This London art deco venue is owned by The Mean Fiddler Group founder Vince Power. It has been updated and a modern sound system and lighting installed. The ballroom and two bars can accommodate 880 and, since May, has hosted dinners, award ceremonies and cabaret nights. Bookings manager Marion Lindsay says: "It is a beautiful building and still unknown to many people so it has real cachet."

KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

Web: www.glasgowmuseums.com

Reopened this summer following a three-year £28m restoration, Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses 22 themed galleries with work by the likes of Salvador Dali, Rembrandt and Botticelli. The main hall is available for hire and can seat 500 for a gala dinner or 1,000 for evening receptions. Operations manager for on-site catering firm Encore, Gordon Atterson, says: "The venue is proving very popular and judging by the number of enquiries we are going to be very busy for the next couple of years."

MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD

Web www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk

Although it opened at the end of October, Mercedes-Benz World is already fully booked with corporate events throughout November and most of December.

As well as housing a permanent car showroom and offering an array of driving experiences, the venue at Brooklands Circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, also boasts a purpose-built conference space with an event hall for 300 delegates and a series of smaller suites. Day delegate rates at the conference centre start at £65 or delegates can make a night of it at the on-site five-star, 100-room Columbus Hotel and Spa.

STANMER HOUSE

Web www.stanmerhouse.co.uk

Brighton's Stanmer House launched its event space in July following a £5m redevelopment programme over seven years. The Georgian stately home offers 13 function rooms and team-building events, such as mind-reading workshops and lawnmower racing, which are available on site. American Express recently booked the venue and customer service centre head Lucy Brook says: "The venue was superb, as was the food and service. All attendees were delighted with the venue and we will definitely consider using it again."

SURGEONS' HALL COMPLEX

Web www.surgeonshallcomplex.com

Edinburgh's Surgeons' Hall Complex was launched in July this year. The £14m development at the Royal College of Surgeons includes the newly built Quincentenary Hall, a high-tech conference space for 350 delegates. It also features the refurbished Symposium Hall, which seats 158, and the flagship Surgeons' Hall, which can accommodate up to 175. The on-site, 77-room Ten Hill Place Hotel, a three-star property, opened on 10 November.

SEGEDUNUM

Web www.twmuseums.org.uk

Tyne and Wear Museums (TWM) signed up as a member of Newcastle-Gateshead Convention Bureau this summer. Among the event spaces the group offers is Segedunum Fort near Hadrian's Wall and the Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

Its Great Hall was recently renovated to provide space for exhibitions and events for up to 400 delegates. In August TWM hosted a networking event for companies including Northumbrian Water, John Lewis Newcastle and Northern Rock.