www.buyingbusinesstravel.com
Buying meetings
PRICE MATTERS For event planners, visible investment in an area certainly helps place it on their radar, but pricing is still a vital consideration. “I’m not sure that the prestige of the Games will justify any premium on prices,” says Charlotte Saynor. “It’s a competitive market at the moment, and venues need to think long-term and keep their prices in line in order to attract and retain business.” Wall says pricing can be a hindrance, but adds that higher rates in London compared to other European cities are to be expected. “London is – and always will be – a prestige destination that offers potential visitors so much more than they’ll get elsewhere, and there is definitely an afterglow for the east following the incredible success of the Games,” he says. “But economic conditions remain what they were before the Games, and it’s important for the area’s future that its prices remain competitive.” This Olympic “afterglow” is leading venues to inflate prices slightly in the short term, according to ATP’s Pace. “There is a kind of ‘halo’ effect in London at the moment, which means that there is a high demand, so rates are staying fairly high – everyone wants a piece of the city. It will be interesting to see what happens
and features a rooftop bar with views of Somerset House and the Thames. The best of the rooms is a two-floor suite within a turret that leads on to the roof terrace. For meetings, the hotel features 700sq m of space.
www.melondonuk.com
ART’OTEL LONDON HOXTON, SHOREDITCH Opening 2013 The Art’otel London Hoxton – the first London venture from the group – is scheduled to open in 2013 at the junction of Old Street, Rivington Street and Great Eastern Street. The 18-storey cylindrical building will offer 350 rooms, and public areas including a gallery space, an
Sol Melia
For event planners, visible investment in an area certainly helps place it on their radar
when the Olympic Park opens again and what kind of rates they will be looking for,” he says.
TRANSPORT LINKS Of course, convenience is of vital importance for event delegates, many of whom have criticised venues in the east for not being easily accessible. Michael Hirst, chairman of trade association Business Visits & Events Partnership, says he wants business events to play a vital part in the legacy plans for east London and London as
arthouse cinema, a spa and a restaurant on the double height top floor. Event space details are to be confirmed.
www.artotels.com/ londonhoxton
LONDON FILM MUSEUM, COVENT GARDEN Opened summer 2012 Booked by Virgin Media for an event for 400 delegates in March, this venue is the second location for the London Film Museum and follows a successful Southbank opening. The venue can accommodate up to 450 people seated or standing. All exhibits are displayed on the walls, so the open floor space gives this venue potential for all types of event. www.londonfilmmuseum. com/covent-garden
a whole, with transport being a crucial piece of the jigsaw. Several schemes are in advanced stages, including Crossrail, a joint venture between Transport for London and the Department for Transport to build a new railway linking Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, carrying 78,000 passengers per hour at peak times. Services are due to start in 2018 and the scheme is billed to create £10 billion of economic benefits to the country. Around £6.5 billion has been invested in upgrading transport links, particularly for east London. On the London Underground, extra capacity has been introduced on the Jubilee and Central lines, with additional trains and signalling upgrades. There has been a 50 per cent increase in DLR capacity with line extensions to Woolwich and Stratford International, and the introduction of three-car trains. The London Overground is also being transformed, with extended services on the East London and North London lines. The introduction of Emirates Air Line, the UK’s first ever urban cable car, is also providing a much-needed river crossing in east London, benefiting venues including the Excel. ■
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Intercontinental London Westminster
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