Features

Go with the flow

24 Jan 2008 by Mark Caswell

From bridges to boats, the Thames offers a range of venues with unique views of London. Business Traveller picks the best spaces for riverside events.

SILVERFLEET THAMES RIVER CRUISE
Wapping Pier, London E1; tel +44 (0)20 7481 2711; silverfleet.co.uk

This luxury cruise service began in 1947, when the Woods family launched their first boat, the Silver Marlin, on the Thames. Sixty years later, the company is still owned by the same family, and the fleet has grown to include four vessels, which have hosted private parties for royalty, world leaders, celebrities and leading international corporations.

The company’s signature yacht, the Silver Sturgeon, was relaunched in March last year, following multimillion-pound renovations in which the interior and upper deck were completely redesigned. The vessel’s interior is now furnished in warm, natural colours, with oval-booth seating in soft Alma leather.

The Ensign Room has gained a new bar with intricate wood marquetry by fashion designer Tristan Webber, while the River Room has a solid oak dance floor and curved glass staircase. A 150 sqm open-air teak deck, with a Veuve-Clicquot champagne bar and glass roof, is available for outdoor entertainment. Using all the decks, the Silver Sturgeon has a maximum capacity of 586. Alternatively, it can cater for up to 342 theatre-style on the main deck, and offers enhanced presentation and screening facilities, as well as advanced AV equipment. A sophisticated lighting system is available throughout the vessel and the River Room is fitted with blackout blinds.

Other vessels include the Silver Barracuda, which is decorated in 1930s style and can accommodate up to 236 guests; the Silver Dolphin, which is popular for more personal gatherings and hosts up to 97 guests; and the Royal Nore, which has just been refurbished and holds a maximum of 30 guests.

THE LONDON EYE
Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1; tel +44 (0)870 990 8881; londoneye.com

Towering on the edge of the Thames to a vertigo-inducing 135 metres, the London Eye has retained its title as the world’s tallest observation wheel since its opening at the turn of the millennium.

The Eye gives passengers panoramic views of the city (up to 40km in all directions) and is the most popular paid-for visitor attraction in the UK. Its 32 capsules, each holding up to 25 people, can be rented for “private flights” during normal operating hours (10am-8pm), while for blow-the-budget events the whole wheel is available for hire at any time of the day or night. (Groups renting a capsule benefit from exclusive check-in and priority boarding.)
A flight in the London Eye lasts 30 minutes, and with a speed of 26cm per second, the rotation is slow enough to allow passengers to board their capsules without the wheel stopping. In-flight hospitality options are provided by Simply Gourmet and include breakfast for early morning flights, afternoon tea, or champagne and canapés. Each guest receives a mini-guide to the attraction and a London Eye host is on hand to answer questions.

In addition, meetings or receptions can be held before or after a flight in the Belvedere Room of County Hall, which can accommodate up to 40 delegates. It is worth noting that, due to its location in the centre of a busy tourist attraction, this venue is more suited to informal meetings, seminars and presentations than formal conferences.

CITY HALL
The Queen’s Walk, London SE1; tel +44 (0)20 7983 4000; london.gov.uk

Designed by Norman Foster, City Hall is one of London’s most distinctive riverside buildings and since 2002 has been home to the Mayor of London, the London Assembly and the Greater London Authority. Thanks to funding from the London Climate Change Agency, the slanted glass-orb structure was fitted with solar panels last summer. This, combined with intelligent architectural design, means City Hall needs a quarter of the energy consumed by an equivalent building of its size, making it one of London’s most environmentally-friendly structures. 

The Living Room is located on the tenth level of the building and with its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a 360-degree view of the city, and external walkway, it makes an impressive venue. The modern minimalist interior, bathed in natural daylight, creates a great setting for standing drinks receptions for up to 250 guests. It can also accommodate 100 people for dinner or 120 for theatre-style seminars.

Jill Bartlett & Company provides a bespoke catering service, and subject to availability, a complimentary PA system, poseur tables, microphones, bar-style tables and armless chairs for musicians can be supplied. Companies should be aware though that as City Hall is a high-profile public building it is important to make reservations well in advance because approval is required from the Greater London Authority.

TOWER BRIDGE
Tower Bridge Road, London SE1; +44 (0)20 7407 9222; towerbridge.org.uk

Since its official opening at the tail end of the 19th century, Tower Bridge has been more than a simple crossing point over the Thames. The high-level walkways (or bascules) between the two towers were originally designed to allow people across when the bridge was open, but this came to an end in 1910, after they became a haunt for prostitutes and other unsavoury characters.

The bascules were reopened to the public in 1982 to house the permanent Tower Bridge Exhibition, and in 1994 became available to hire for evening events. The glass-panelled avenues, 45 metres above the river, can hold 250 guests for a reception, or 120 for a sit-down dinner. Companies get both walkways included in the hire price, so depending on the event, guests can start the evening having drinks on one side and then move around to the other (usually the walkway with views of HMS Belfast and the Tower of London) for the dinner or main event.

As the venue is an unusual space to cater for, Tower Bridge offers clients a choice of six experienced catering companies. Furniture, lighting, flowers, fireworks and entertainment can also be arranged. Once the public exhibition space closes for the day, the caterers will move in and set up, ready for guest arrivals from 6.30-7pm onwards.
Other features on offer at Tower Bridge include a video wall at the entrance (onto which a company film can be projected at no extra charge), security, welcome staff, and corporate gifts.

Daytime events can also be held in the North Tower lounge, which has been transformed from a storage facility into a characterful, high-ceilinged space with black leather sofas and wall drapes. It can host 20 delegates for an informal meeting or 45 for a reception. After 7pm, the working engine rooms beneath the bridge can also be hired, seating 40 for dinner or 80 for a standing reception.

HMS BELFAST
Morgans Lane, London SE1; tel +44 (0)20 7940 6300; hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk

This Second World War cruiser, moored on the Thames near Tower Bridge, was launched in 1938 and took part in operations including the D-Day landings and the Korean War. Now decommissioned, HMS Belfast is part of the Imperial War Museum and makes a unique and striking venue for events. The ship has four function rooms, all with natural daylight (albeit a limited amount through the portholes).

The traditional-style Admiral’s Quarters, with maritime oil paintings on the walls, can host 20 people for a banquet or 30 people for a reception. The Wardroom and Ante Room area is larger and can accommodate 100 for a reception, while the Gun Room can host 120 for drinks. The Ship’s Company Dining Hall, in the heart of the cruiser, has exposed pipework and supports, making it the most unusual space available for hire. It can seat 110 theatre-style or 144 for a dinner party.

The catering is provided by Sodexho Prestige, and organisers can choose from a variety of event packages, which include everything from the cost of refreshments to the venue. For example, the “Admiral’s day delegate package” covers breakfast, hot and cold drinks throughout the day, a cold fork buffet lunch, glass of Naval rum punch, light nibbles, corporate merchandise and free access to the exhibition areas. Additional extras available include a piper, jazz band, champagne and canapés, and a guided tour of the vessel by an HMS Belfast veteran.

RADISSON EDWARDIAN NEW PROVIDENCE WHARF
5 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London E14; tel +44 (0)20 7987 2050; radissonedwardian.com

Opened in September last year, this four-star deluxe property has exceptional views of the Thames and is located in the Canary Wharf business district, near Excel and London City airport. As well as the sleek Azura restaurant offering fine dining and the outdoor Riverside Terrace, the new Radisson Edwardian has seven meeting rooms with natural daylight, a conference suite with breakout rooms, free wifi internet access, air conditioning and the latest audio-visual technology.

The main conference room is the Ontario Suite on the first floor. It has contemporary design features and can accommodate up to 250 people theatre-style or 200 for dinner. The River Suite, while smaller, has great views of the river, the O2 Arena and across to the Greenwich Observatory and can host 80 guests for a reception, 60 for a sit-down meal or 24 cabaret-style. All the catering is done in-house, and specialist options are available.

DESIGN MUSEUM
Shad Thames, London SE1; tel +44 (0)20 7940 8262; designmuseum.org

Tucked away next to Butlers Wharf just east of Tower Bridge, the Design Museum was set up in 1989 to showcase the work of designers in every field, from fashion and architecture to graphics and industrial design. The former riverside warehouse was transformed into a modernist dream overlooking the Thames, and features unbeatable views of the City and Canary Wharf.

True to its name, the museum offers clever room layout options which provide flexibility to customise three contemporary “spaces” which can be used for exhibitions, conferences, receptions, dinners or launches.

Each space is unique, from the floor-to-ceiling windows and marble floors of the Riverside Hall, to the naturally lit Design Gallery featuring a collection of design classics and boasting stunning views of Canary Wharf. The Riverside Hall can seat 120 for dinner or 250 for receptions, with capacity for 150 diners in the Gallery.

The Design Museum Space has a private balcony, audio-visual facilities and up to five break-out spaces and can hold 80 for dinner or 200 for receptions.

WESTMINSTER BOATING BASE
136 Grosvenor Road, London SW1; tel +44 (0)20 7821 7389; westminsterboatingbase.co.uk

The Westminster Boating Base is a registered charity which helps young people learn how to sail, canoe and kayak, but its enviably-located riverside venue is also available to hire for corporate conferences, meetings and events. All proceeds are put towards the running costs of the organisation.

Located in Pimlico Gardens on the banks of the Thames, the primary facility at the base is the pavilion, which extends over the water and has floor-to-ceiling windows, and superb views of the west London riverside architecture including Battersea Power Station.

The venue can be hired day or night and can accommodate up to 350 people for a reception, or 150 for a seated silver-service dinner party. There is also a smaller function room, which is suitable for drinks or presentations, and a “chill-out” room complete with floor cushions.

Resident event management company Retro Catering is available to organise food and drink – from finger-buffets to four-course dinners – although clients can use outside caterers if they prefer. Live music, lighting and themed events can also be arranged.

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