Corporate Brochure

SINCE 1878
The Most Magnificent
Palace of Amusement
In The World.
- Professor Vanessa Toulmin
Church St
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY1 1HW
Tel: 01253 629600
Email: [email protected]
Winter Gardens.
A Grand and
Visionary Complex.
The Winter Gardens is
unique. A Grade II* listed
building offering historic
grandeur combined with
the facility and technology
of modern event planning
supported by an experienced
management team.
For conferences,
exhibitions, shows,
concerts, special events or
banquets - for 10 to 10,000,
the Winter Gardens in
Blackpool remains Britain’s
most spectacular choice
of venue.
The Winter Gardens has
entertained hordes of
crowds in Blackpool in
its collection of theatres,
ballrooms, exhibition
halls and public spaces.
Since opening in 1878, the
venue’s aspirations have
continued to mirror the
development of Blackpool
as a friendly seaside resort.
As the town grew in
popularity throughout the
century, the venue’s wide
range of entertainment
has developed with it.
The venue has been
used for a diverse range
of leisure and business
purposes and has evolved
through an on-going
development and building
programme to meet
today’s customer needs.
The venue buzzes all year
round with top West End
Shows, major special
interest events, product
launches, conferences,
and the world famous
Dance Festival, to name
but a few.
The Winter Gardens is a
spectacular meeting place
in a perfect location with
the means to cater for
more than 10,000 people!
It provides everything
anyone could ever need
for conferences, seminars,
meetings, socials,
banquets and dinnerdances. You will also find
a variety of bars and light
food restaurants open
day and night throughout
the complex.
Our reputation is based
on our unique flexibility,
tradition and experience.
We encourage clients to
visit the venue in person at
the earliest opportunity.
The true potential of the
Winter Gardens can only
be judged at first hand.
ONE OF THE LARGEST THEATRES IN
THE UK HAS WELCOMED THE BIGGEST
STARS OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR OVER
100 YEARS INCLUDING TWO ROYAL
VARIETY PERFORMANCES
The Winter Gardens has long been established as one
of the UK’s premier venues for staging theatre shows,
concerts and events. With over 1 million people
passing through its doors annually, it’s not surprising to
discover that some of the biggest names from the world
of show business and the music industry appear on a
regular basis.
Within the Winter Gardens 4.9 acres is one of Britain’s
largest theatres, the Opera House. Boasting a seating
capacity of almost 3,000 and a stage measuring 30 x 15
metres. It is equipped with all the facilities expected of a
modern theatre and a team of professional technicians
experienced in the staging of major West End Shows.
The Opera House is the UK’s largest purpose
built theatre, designed in a modernist style with a
sweepingly curved proscenium.
Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra,
Judy Garland and Bob Hope have all graced the
Opera House stage. More recently, stars including
Peter Kay, One Direction, Bob Dylan and Little
Mix have all performed to sell out audiences.
Smash-hit shows attracted by the Opera
House’s immense capacity, perfect location and
unequalled reputation have included top West
End productions such as Joseph, Grease, Cats
and Mamma Mia!
The Opera House.
A perfect view of
the wonder stage.
1955 ROYAL VARIETY
PERFORMANCE
LEFT: BOB DYLAN
RIGHT: THE QUEEN MEETS PETER KAY
THE FOYER BAR
CINEMA SCREEN
The newly refurbished
room is another example
of the high standard in all
the halls and rooms in the
Winter Gardens.
The lounge can be used
as a self-contained unit,
or it can be used as a
syndicate, committee or
administration space
for larger events in the
main theatre.
A brand new, state-of-theart digital cinema screen
- believed to be the biggest
in the North West - and a
brand new surround
sound system have been
specially installed in the
Opera House.
This incredible project
brings cinema back to the
Winter Gardens for the first
time in almost 40 years.
Empress
Ballroom.
The jewel
in the Winter
Gardens’
crown.
The Empress Ballroom, with a capacity of
over 3,200 is without a doubt a breathtaking
environment for any event.
The Empress Ballroom has hosted
everything from political party conferences
to pop concerts - its architectural splendour,
vast capacity and unrivalled flexibility makes
it extremely popular with regional, national
and international event organisers alike.
Whatever your particular need, the power
of the Ballroom’s ‘WOW factor’ cannot be
underestimated. The majestic Empress
Ballroom truly is the jewel in the Winter
Gardens’ crown.
The Empress Ballroom has played host to
many top acts, from Jazz greats to huge
rock acts such as Paul Weller, Status Quo,
Arcade Fire and The Stone Roses.
Performances also range from top solo
vocalists to the UK’s favourite ‘boy and girl
bands’, the Empress Ballroom achieves
capacity audiences all year round. It is
ideally suited to the rock and pop market
with the added appeal of dancing with
full food and beverage facilities available
throughout the concert. Concert audiences
of up to 3,250 can be comfortably
accommodated in this magnificent venue.
A TRULY MAGNIFICENT ROOM
AVAILABLE FOR CONFERENCES,
AWARDS, SEMINARS, SPORTING
EVENTS, CONCERTS AND MORE.
Royal Variety
Performance
The first Royal Variety Performance to be held outside
London was staged at the Opera House in 1955. In 2009 the
Royal Variety Performance was again staged at the theatre.
HOME TO THE
WORLD’S MOST
PRESTIGIOUS
DANCE FESTIVAL
SINCE 1920
EVERY BRITISH PRIME
MINISTER SINCE SIR WINSTON
CHURCHILL HAS ADDRESSED
AN AUDIENCE AT THE VENUE.
THE FAB FOUR
PERFORMED AT
THE OPERA HOUSE
TWICE WITHIN THE
SAME MONTH IN THE
SUMMER OF 1964.
ALSO ON THE BILL
WERE THE HIGH
NUMBERS, WHO WERE
SHORTLY TO RENAME
THEMSELVES THE
WHO, AND THE KINKS.
Early in 1918, the
Admiralty had
requisitioned the
Empress Ballroom
to assemble gas
envelopes for the
R.33 airship.
BLACKPOOL’S
WINTER GARDENS
FIRST OPENED TO
THE PUBLIC ON
11TH JULY 1878
THE EMPRESS BALLROOM
HAS BEEN USED AS A
CONFERENCE VENUE FOR
MANY YEARS BY THE LABOUR
PARTY, CONSERVATIVE PARTY
AND LIBERAL DEMOCRATS.
During the Second
World War, the
Winter Gardens
was used for RAF
training purposes
by day and for
entertainment in
the evening.
OVER
ONE
MILLION
PEOPLE
VISIT THE
WINTER
GARDENS
EACH
YEAR
INAUGURATED IN
1878, THE WINTER
GARDENS COST
£100K TO BUILD
WHICH IN TODAY’S
MONEY IS OVER
£10 MILLION
THE EMPRESS BALLROOM FIRST OPENED IN 1896
Never let it be said Frank Sinatra
was short on confidence. He announced
his ability to run for office in Blackpool
during his first appearance at the Opera
House back in July, 1950.
ONLY VENUE
IN THE
WORLD WITH
TWO
WORKING
WURLITZER ORGANS
YOU KNOW,
I COULD BE
MAYOR OF
THIS TOWN!
NOT ALWAYS AN
EXHIBITION SPACE
OLYMPIA WAS ONCE
THE SITE OF A GIANT
FERRIS WHEEL AS BIG
AS THE LONDON EYE
The Arena.
A venue
under
the stars.
Adjacent to the
magnificent Empress
Ballroom, the Arena was
originally named the
Indian Lounge, due to
its beautiful Raj-inspired
interior design. The room
survived in this state for
68 years until, in 1964, the
faded interior was replaced
by the Planet Room - a
large lounge bar with a
cabaret stage. In the late
1980s the Planet Room was
revamped in a
Roman style to become
the present Arena.
The Arena can be
utilised on its own or in
conjunction with the
adjacent Empress Ballroom.
The room’s dramatic use
of light creates an almost
theatrical atmosphere for
meetings, presentations,
themed events, banquets,
cabaret style shows and
exhibitions.
Spanish Hall
and Windsor Bar.
Created in the 1930s by
Andrew Mazzei , a famous
film set designer of the time.
The spectacular Spanish
Hall, lavishly themed with
its three-dimensional frieze
representing a Spanish
village, provides a magical
backdrop for any grand
occasion, from a banquet to
a wedding reception.
Beer festivals, concerts and
corporate functions have
all enjoyed great success in
the Spanish Hall’s unique
charismatic environment.
Retaining many of its
original custom-made
fittings, this spectacular
art deco venue is entirely
self-contained with its own
adjacent bar.
The Windsor Bar is ideal
for a variety of private
functions, available with the
adjacent Spanish Hall or on
its own.
THE WINDSOR BAR
LEADING OFF THE
SPANISH HALL
Step back
in time.
Baronial Hall.
THIS STUNNING ROOM CAN
BE USED FOR MEETINGS
OR AS AN ANTEROOM FOR
EVENTS IN THE BARONIAL
AND SPANISH HALLS
This medieval hall, designed
in the guise of an antique
castle, offers a step back in
time to the eve of the first
millennium. With heraldic
fittings and furnishings,
heavy oak panelling
and authentic medieval
detailing, the Baronial Hall
offers a distinctly different
atmosphere for meetings and
a unique dining experience.
THE PERFECT
FAIRYTALE SETTING
FOR A WEDDING
Renaissance
Room.
Created
with grandeur
and glamour.
The exquisite, periodstyle hall was created with
grandeur and glamour in
mind in 1931 and built an
enviable reputation as a
high-class restaurant and
cocktail bar.
Benefiting from plenty of
natural light, the stunning
Renaissance Room is
extremely versatile and
particularly suited to special
occasions for up to 150
guests. With grand arched
doorways and enchanting
cherubs adorning the walls,
this opulent venue has
the ability to infuse any
meeting or private function
with charm and elegance.
Pavilion
& Horseshoe.
An exquisite surprise.
PAVILION THEATRE STAGE.
PAVILION THEATRE
FROM THE STAGE, c 1950.
Leading off the Floral Hall
the Winter Gardens reveals yet
another exquisite surprise:
a graceful semi-circular promenade
known as the ‘Horseshoe’.
At its centre is the Pavilion, a supreme example
of Victorian stage architecture now converted for
conference, concert, banqueting or dinner-dance.
Alternatively, the partitions dividing the Pavilion from
the Horseshoe may be folded back to create a spacious,
self-contained exhibition area.
The beautiful Pavilion Theatre accommodates up to
500 seated guests and provides one of Blackpool’s
more intimate theatrical experiences and can form a
distinctly different venue for a conference or meeting.
THE NEWLY REFURBISHED
DERHAM LOUNGE
Renewed
elegance.
Derham
Lounge.
The room takes its name
from John C. Derham, the
Tower Company’s resident
architect, who designed the
Olympia exhibition hall and
re-modelled other areas of
the Winter Gardens.
The room had been
created as a Restaurant
and Cafe in 1897, but
became the Olympia Bar
in 1930. From the 1980s
until more recently, it
was used for a variety
of functions including
the Ram Jam Inn, Apple
Annie’s and most recently
a collectables outlet, before
being reclaimed in 2013 and
restored to its former beauty.
Most of the 1930s
plasterwork has survived
and has been restored.
The restoration of this
room saw it being stripped
back to its shell and the
Renaissance glitz and
glamour renewed.
The room can now be
used for a variety of events,
either as a standalone room
using the Carter Street
entrance or as an extension
to the larger complex.
OLYMPIA
EXHIBITION
CENTRE
WITH 2,600 SQUARE
Olympia
Exhibition Centre.
The Winter Gardens
offers many exciting
opportunities for
exhibition organisers,
none more so than
the Olympia
Exhibition Centre.
Home to many of the
North’s major trade shows,
it is easy to understand
why. With 2,600 square
metres of space and direct
links to the Ballroom,
Arena, Horseshoe and
Pavilion, the Olympia
can be used as a totally
self-contained venue or
alongside other facilities all under one roof.
METRES OF SPACE,
OLYMPIA IS BLACKPOOL’S
LARGEST INDOOR
EXHIBITION SPACE
The Olympia offers easy
access for vehicles and
equipment, with ample
parking for visitors and
exhibitors immediately
adjacent to the Winter
Gardens. The impressively
spacious Olympia features
high ceilings, natural light
and easy accessibility, with
three points of exterior
entry for vehicles and
equipment.
Cafes and Bars.
The tradition of
outstanding hospitality
associated with the
Winter Gardens as a
famous Blackpool visitor
attraction has never been
more alive than today,
with a choice of cafes and
bars offering something
to suit all tastes.
THE MAZZEI CAFE
THE EMPRESS
GRILL ROOM
The Mazzei Cafe, situated
off the Floral Hall and
opposite The Empress
Grill Room offers a relaxed
atmosphere. Serving light
lunches, afternoon tea and
snacks including paninis,
homemade cakes and a
selection of sandwiches.
The Empress Grill Room
within the Winter Gardens
offers the choice of fine
cuisine with flexible
catering that can be tailored
to your requirements. The
contemporary interior of
the restaurant contrasts
delightfully with the
dramatic surroundings of
the building.
There are also a number of
bars in the Winter Gardens
complex. The Windsor
Bar which can be used
alone or with the adjacent
Spanish Hall. The Galleon
Bar which opened in 1931
and was modelled on the
lines of the officers quarters
of one of the Spanish
armada’s galleons.
The Gillows Bar leads off
the Galleon Bar and is a
perfect venue for intimate
performances and as a
break room during large
conferences. Each of these
wondrous spaces can be
used individually or as
rooms to facilaite a larger
event for networking,
relaxing or small meetings.
Opened in 2015 The New
Theatre Bar with Gourmet
Burger restaurant available
for private hire offers
an intimate and stylish
retreat perfect for relaxing,
drinking and dining all day
long and into the night.
THE THEATRE BAR
ANDRÉ RIEU
ROYAL VARIETY
PERFORMANCE
BLACKPOOL & FYLDE
COLLEGE FASHION SHOW
Accommodation
Booking Service.
Delegates are often not familiar with the resort so to
ensure they make the correct choices VisitBlackpool can
offer you our online accommodation booking service.
Their online booking service includes arranging
allocations at the hotels of your choice, hosting site visits,
negotiating rates and handling individual visitor requests.
Their service to you can include an online welcome page
from you to your delegates, with a brief outline of what’s
happening during your stay in resort. They can provide
room lists for each hotel, manage and monitor bookings,
ensuring you have a full and complete picture of how
many delegates have booked and where they are staying.
You are able to book direct with the accommodation
provider of your choice and the team at VisitBlackpool can
assist with amends, cancellations or individuals requests
all from one ‘click’ or call.
To book or enquire about venues or accommodation
please contact:
E: [email protected]
T: 01253 478216
www.visitblackpool.com/business
From A to B
and everything in-between.
Whatever time you choose
to arrive there will be plenty
of transport to assist. If
you are arriving in large
numbers we can arrange
for dedicated bus or coach
transport from the station
to any of our venues or
hotels.
Alternatively, a short walk
to the promenade offers
the option of using the
new tramway service.
This is the perfect way to
commute along Blackpool’s
promenade; whether
your accommodation is
North or South the new
style Bombardier trams
will make sure everybody
arrives stress and
hassle free.
The promenade route has
been totally transformed
in recent years; with
over £100m worth of
investment the tramway
has been a key part of
Blackpool promenade’s
regeneration plan.
The team at VisitBlackpool
can negotiate transport
tickets for your visitors,
making sure all they have
to think about is getting on
and getting off!
If the modern style isn’t
your preference and
you’d prefer an older style
heritage tram we can help
sort that for you. Perhaps
you’d like to take your
guests on a private hire
heritage tram on the way to
a dinner venue. This would
be the ideal way to impress
your guests and at the
same time enjoy reception
drinks and canapés on
route, or alternatively if it’s a
more relaxed evening take
a tram ride and at the same
time treat your delegates to
a traditional seaside supper
of fish and chips.
Blackpool Transport has
recently welcomed a
fleet of new Mercedes
Citaro buses; all are 12
metre 1 door full low floor
throughout with the latest
fuel and energy efficient
Euro 6 engines. Trimmed
in E Leather with wood
effect flooring and free WiFi
and mobile charging points
for customers, these new
buses will offer a modern
alternative to travel around
Blackpool.
It is really easy to get
around in Blackpool
whether you’re travelling
from the train station to
your hotel or from the hotel
to the conference venue.
Arriving at your
Destination
SQ
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Travelling by Car
Travelling by Train
Blackpool remains easily accessible by car, the M6
motorway that runs directly from the M1 links Blackpool
via the M55 to the main motorway network. Driving into
Blackpool couldn’t be easier follow the M55 right into the
heart of the town centre and the resort’s largest car park.
The car parks offer a safe and welcoming place to park
while in Blackpool, for further information and for details
of how you can pre-book your parking space visit the
website below.
For more information:
www.visitblackpool.com/mapsandguides
T: 01253 476383
Blackpool is very pleased to be able to announce the direct
London to Blackpool Virgin train service, which departs
daily from London Euston.
The resort is also connected through the train network
to many other destinations. Superfast Virgin ‘Pendolino’
trains to Preston connect with the local shuttle service into
Blackpool.
For more information and a full timetable:
www.thetrainline.com
www.northernrail.org
www.tpexpress.co.uk
www.virgintrains.co.uk T: 0871 977 4222
www.nationalrail.co.uk T: 08457 485950
Travelling by Coach
Travelling by Sea
Modern coaches are superbly equipped and comfortable,
offering a high quality, value for money way of getting to
your favourite beach location. National Express and other
scheduled coach operators travel to and from the resort all
year round.
For more information:
www.nationalexpress.co.uk T: 08717 818 181
Blackpool is within easy reach of a number of ferry ports
covering crossings from Northern and Southern Ireland
and the Isle of Man.
For a full list of ferry crossings and more information:
www.visitblackpool.com
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The new direct train routes from many destinations across
the UK can half your usual travel time, or if you want to
bring your car Blackpool’s easy access links to the M6
motorway and the national motorway network can make
your arrival and departure hassle free!
WE ST ST
PROMENADE
THE
BLACKPOOL
TOWER
Whatever your mode of transport into
Blackpool you can be sure the journey
will be made as easy as possible.
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The Winter Gardens
Blackpool has to be
seen to be believed.