Fourteenth century guildhall to echo original use with launch of meetings package

A Coventry heritage venue dating back to the 14th century is set to echo its original use as a meeting hub for the region’s businesses after launching a new conferences package.

St Mary’s Guildhall, located in Coventry’s historic Cathedral quarter, reopened its doors in the summer and is established as a leading visitor, tourism and educational attraction.

Now the venue has launched its conference and meeting operation echoing its original use as a place to do business for the city’s merchant guilds.

Packages for groups of 10 to 150 are available within the Guildhall’s variety of rooms, including in its spectacular Great Hall for parties and events.

Operators No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM) who also operate the four-star hotel Coombe Abbey are hoping it will draw custom from across the UK.

The refurbishment has been made possible through the Cultural Capital Investment Fund resourced by Coventry City Council, Arts Council England, and the Government’s Getting Britain Building Fund through Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.

Abi Moore, heritage and venue manager of St Mary’s Guildhall, said: “We are the oldest newest conference venue in the UK! The total restoration of St Mary’s Guildhall has been superb and we have had a great response in terms of visitors, and we hope to see a similar trend through our corporate venue hire options, with opportunities to host small, intimate gatherings or large banquets and receptions in a truly unique setting.

“We are very keen to attract meetings and conferences – which is the modern equivalent of why the Guildhall was created in the first place – and we believe we have created a product which offers a very historic setting but with modern meeting capabilities.

 “History has been preserved right throughout the venue, and it is brilliant that we have been able to update some of the spaces in line with their original uses as a commercial hub for the city and home of its merchant guilds.

“In a market where many venues look and feel the same, we can deliver something really different and memorable, while still being perfect for modern business.”

Meetings packages, with three room options capable of hosting 10 to 30 delegates, can include unlimited tea and coffee, mid-morning snacks, buffet lunch and mid-afternoon refreshments as well as notepaper and pens, bottled water and LED Screen with stylus technology and unlimited internet access.

Evening private hire and buffets for up to 80 people are also available to book in the popular Tales of Tea tearoom, while private dining packages for proms and occasions are available with a variety of room choices.

For more information contact St Mary’s Guildhall on 02476 430 545 or smgh@noordinaryhospitality.com or visit www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk.