Venue operator receives £2m in event enquiries within 24hrs of prime minister's address

A chain of venues has reported it received £2m worth of event enquiries within 24 hours of the prime minister’s announcement, 22 February, in which he unveiled his roadmap towards reopening the economy.

Etc.venues, which has multiple meeting and conference venues located across the UK, said some organisers have booked as early as the end of Q2.

“This is the largest rush of serious new enquiries for meetings and events we’ve ever had in one day, certainly the most after any previous lifting of Covid restrictions”, said Adam Simpson (pictured below), the venue chain’s director of marketing.

“These events are scheduled for late Q2, Q3 and Q4 this year by which time, from September, we will have a further seven rooms including a suite for 240 people, available at the 133 Houndsditch property in London, increasing the size of the venue by 50%.” 

The enquiries, including one for around £350,000, are from corporate and public organisations as well as associations. Event types include meetings, training programmes and conferences, both live and hybrid.

Simpson concluded; “This is a great initial indication that so many organisations have been waiting for the opportunity to get back to live events. It’s also a welcome validation of our decision to continue to invest in and develop 133 Houndsditch during lockdown.”

Etc.venues has 15 venues across the UK, with 13 London and others in Manchester and Birmingham.