The coastal city’s melting pot of culture, arts, restaurants and bars makes the perfect backdrop to that special meeting or event at the seaside. Felicity Cousins reports
Just under an hour on the train from central London and half an hour from Gatwick airport, Brighton is an ideal option for companies who want to stage an event in a city by the sea. Brighton’s laidback nature and cultural diversity can be found on the waterfront and in its narrow lanes running away from the shore with their colourful shops and eateries. It also has some great venues for meetings.
Darren Johnson, convention bureau sales manager at Visit Brighton, says: “There is something in the air about Brighton – it has a vibe. Its compactness is good for delegates and after a busy day they have the seafront or the South Downs on which to be free and unwind.”
John Carmichael, Visit Brighton’s marketing manager, agrees. “This city has so much to offer. If you want something sedate you can explore its historical and cultural side, or if you want something more lively you can dine out, see a show or have cocktails until four in the morning.” Brighton has a population of about 250,000 and has more bars and restaurants per capita than any other city in the UK outside London.
Carmichael adds: “The overall offering here is great – from a boardroom meeting for 12 to a conference for 12,000.” It’s also competitively priced compared with London, and Visit Brighton works closely with rail operators to gain discounts for groups.
Away from the boardroom there’s plenty of choice – with the South Downs in sight, zorbing (hill rolling in a giant plastic sphere) and mountain biking are popular, while Brighton Marina offers watersports. See visitbrighton.com/conferences
Brighton Centre
Home to many party political conferences over the years, most recently that of the outgoing Labour party, the exterior of the building is a 1970s disaster or an architectural gem depending on your outlook. Inside, it is the largest purpose-built conference and exhibition centre in the south of England, with a capacity of 5,000 delegates. The extensive meeting spaces are versatile with breakout rooms and foyers leading off the larger rooms. The 1,941 sqm Auditorium 1 holds 4,450 people theatre-style, while the other spaces have capacities ranging from 50 to 600 theatre-style. The BBC recently held its Showcase event here (pictured), a good example of how the space can be transformed. Some £1 million will be spent on refurbishing the Brighton Centre in the next five years, starting with new carpets, chairs and signage over the summer.
- King’s Road; tel +44 (0)1273 292 671; brightoncentre.co.uk/conference
- Church Street; tel +44 (0) 1273 261 524; brightondomeevents.org
- Pavilion Buildings; tel +44 (0)1273 292 813; royalpavilion.org.uk
- Eaton Road; tel +44 (0)844 264 0202; sussexcricket.co.uk/facility-hire
- Freshfield Road; tel +44 (0)1273 603 580; brighton-racecourse.co.uk
- Stanmer Park; tel +44 (0)1273 680 400; stanmerhouse.co.uk
- King’s Road; tel +44 (0)1273 224 300; grandbrighton.co.uk
- King’s Road; tel +44 (0)1273 775 432; hilton.co.uk
- King’s Road; tel +44 (0)871 376 9041; thistle.com/brighton