Truly a sense of occasion

Jun 18 2007 By The Journal

Although the variety and number of conference and events venues on Tyneside has grown beyond all recognition in recent years, it's fair to say that Newcastle Civic Centre still considers itself one of the premier locations in the region.

Over the years it has attracted - and still attracts - major and prestigious conferences from organisations which want somewhere that combines state-of-the-art facilities with good service and a sense of occasion.

Few people could argue that there are many venues which offer the sheer spectacle of the Civic Centre. The imposing banqueting suite - which can seat up to 600 - creates the perfect atmosphere for everything from an awards dinner to a large-scale meeting or presentation.

Areas like the Pandon Room which overlook the banqueting suite can be used independently or as a pre-event reception area which allows guests or delegates to get a birds' eye view of the banqueting suite.

Perhaps less well known however is the fact that Civic Centre also offers a number of smaller conference and meeting rooms which can cater from 10 people upwards.

These are perfect for breakout rooms as part of a conference or can be hired as private meeting rooms at any time of day if not in use.

Each one pays tribute to one of the people who helped make Newcastle what it is today, with names such as Swan, Parsons, Dobson, Armstrong, Stephenson and Collingwood.

The Council Chamber itself is also available for private hire and can accommodate up to 250 people. With fixed seating for 120 and individually sited microphones, it is an ideal venue for an event where interaction is key.

The press gallery can also be used, which has the capacity to accommodate a further 60 people and at the same time the chamber offers state-of-the-art audio visual equipment.

At the heart of the services that the Civic Centre is able to offer is flexibility.

And if an historic venue really would impress delegates, then conference organisers can also use Newcastle's Mansion House. Still the official residence of the city's Lord Mayor, this stunning property, built in the 1870s, provides an impressive backdrop for any event.

Set in gardens in Fernwood Road, Jesmond, the Mansion House has a selection of rooms available for presentations and dinners and the various permutations available allow for up 90 for dinner down to 20 for an audio visual presentation. The dining room, the entrance hall, the small drawing room, the smoke room and even the gardens can be set up in a variety of ways and there are even five bedrooms available for delegates or guests travelling a distance.

For further information on conference and banqueting at the Civic Centre call (0191) 211-6949 and for the Mansion House (0191) 281-0863.