The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 7: Spring 2018 | Page 10

ICONIC & INSPIRING EVENTS VENUES IN BATH Are you looking for a venue to host your next event? Why not look at Bath’s Historic Venues? Integral to the city’s UNESCO status, the award winning Roman Baths & Pump Room, Assembly Rooms, Guildhall and Victoria Art Gallery are all beautifully preserved, unique buildings, steeped in history, but perfectly adapted to the running of successful events. Each venue has something different to offer and can cater for a whole host of occasions from small business breakfasts, to conferences, gala dinners or Christmas parties for up to 500 people. It’s home to a number of key events in Bath’s calendar, from the Bath Business Expo to the Bath Life Awards. The Assembly Rooms, one of Bath’s most prestigious venues, has been at the heart of the city’s social life since the 18th century - Dickens travelled to Bath to speak at the Rooms and Jane Austen famously refers to the ‘Upper Rooms’ in her novel Northanger Abbey. For ‘wow factor’, just look up at the ceilings as the venue is lit by magnificent, original Whitefriars crystal chandeliers which the American Whitehouse tried (unsuccessfully) to buy in 1950. Four interconnecting rooms on the ground floor mean that guests can move seamlessly during an event – the space is ideal for a larger conference or exhibition, but it has also housed a fashion show and the venue is used annually by Bath Festivals. Rooms can also be hired out individually and summer parties in the Card Room and small outside garden are the perfect way to entertain clients or reward staff, whilst shared Christmas parties are so popular that they sell out months in advance Contrast with a drinks reception for up to 300 guests on the 2000 year old ancient paving surrounding the Great Bath at the Roman Baths. By evening, when the tourists are gone and the torches are lit, the venue is magical and much of the complex is still accessible to explore, and private tours can be arranged on request. Dinner could be bowl food around the Baths, or dinner and dancing in the elegant Pump Room which also has a stage for live music, and a dance floor. Catering at the venues is provided by Searcys, a privately owned catering company established in 1847, which also serves The Gherkin, The Barbican, The Champagne Bar at St Pancras and Blenheim Palace. All events have a dedicated event planner to assist through the planning process. The Roman Baths & Pump Room won Gold awards in 2017 for Large Attraction of the Year, Venue and Business Tourism, International Visitor Experience and Access and Inclusivity in the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards and another round of awards in the recent Southwest Tourism Awards. FROM DAY ONE Put the right building blocks in place for success Get your business organised from the very start with a cloud accounting solution that gives complete financial clarity. We’re more than just number crunching accountants. We’re problem solvers, providing the swift, hands-on practical advice you need, without the jargon. Drop by our Expo stand for a chat 11 Laura Place, Bath, BA2 4BL | 01225 325580 www.richardsonswift.co.uk 10 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018 Did you know that you can also hire the Victoria Art Gallery for a drinks reception for up to 150 people? Whilst the grand Upper Gallery is traditional, the Lower Gallery is a contemporary space, making for an intimate, special atmosphere, or ‘private view’ style event. Visit www.bathvenues.co.uk or contact the team to discuss your requirements on: 01225 477786. Email enquiries to: [email protected]