Planning your next event and looking for some ideas? Whether you’re considering a conference or a summer party, here’s some advice on how to make sure it’s a success.

 

Here are our top tips on how to plan your event successfully:

 

1 – Start planning early

 

The key to successful event planning is to pick and choose your venue and suppliers as early as possible. It’s not uncommon for people to book summer parties more than six months in advance, and many companies book prime dates for Christmas parties (i.e. the last Friday before Christmas Day) up to a year in advance. You may also get discounts for booking well ahead, and it will be easier to make adjustments when you have more time.

 

2 – Choose the right venue

 

Pick a venue that will help you make the best impact. For example, if you’re planning an elaborate theme like a beach party or a fancy-dress charity ball, consider a blank canvas event venue in London that can be easily tailored to different layouts.

 

Make sure the venue has enough space for the number of people you plan to invite. Remember that the capacity of a standing reception will much be higher than a seated dinner, and other factors such as the event layout and equipment can also impact on the capacity.

 

3 – Indoors, outdoors, or both?

 

Choosing an indoor space will ensure your event goes ahead come rain or shine. However, if it’s warm and sunny, your guests may prefer to spend their time outdoors rather than being cooped up inside.

We all know how fickle the British weather can be. This spring, we’ve had everything from snow and ice to temperatures as high as 29 degrees Celsius and the warmest London Marathon on record. Therefore, depending on your event, you might want to choose somewhere with indoor and outdoor space so you can have the best of both worlds. A marquee venue will do just the trick.

 

4 – Choose the right theme

 

Think of a theme that your guests will appreciate. For example, would they prefer a live music act or an impressionist for their entertainment? Perhaps they’ll be more comfortable with an informal buffet theme where they can easily move around, or a formal seated dinner? There’s no harm in asking your guests first so you can get an idea of what they want and expect from the event.

 

Because we’re part of the Concerto Group, we’ll give you access to the best suppliers in London to ensure your event runs smoothly throughout.

 

Get in touch to find out more

 

If you’re interested in booking one of our London event venues, call or e-mail us so we can arrange a viewing. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Planning your next event and looking for an outstanding venue to make the best impression? Then find out why City Centre the HAC is the ideal venue for outdoor events in the City

 

Three reasons to choose City Centre the HAC for your next summer event in the City

 

1 – A luxury private outdoor space in the Square Mile

The garden is overlooked by the 18th-century Armoury House, the headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company, one of the world’s oldest military organisations.

With space for 400-1000 guests for seated dinners or 400 to 2,400 for standing receptions/barbecues, City Centre the HAC is one of our largest events venues in London. The picturesque lawn is the perfect oasis from the hustle and bustle of the City, and you can always head inside to the purpose-built glazed reception space should the weather make a turn for the worse.

 

2 – You’re never too old for the funfair

Probably the biggest highlight of City Centre the HAC is its wonderful funfair, which is equipped with adrenaline-infusing dodgems, a carousel, games stalls, and a magnificent big wheel. Available for exclusive use, it’s a fantastic addition to a summer party, conference or any other special occasion.

 

 

3 – Benefit from the best suppliers around

Like all our London events venues, City Centre the HAC has some of the top suppliers in London, from world-class caterers like Create to corporate fun day and team-building brands like Eventwise.

Because we’re one of over 16 brands of the Concerto Group, we enjoy significant economies of scale, too. That means we have the negotiating power to give you the best talent for the lowest price, thanks to our longstanding relationships with our suppliers.

So, if you’re looking for a completely different way to celebrate your next big event in London, give your guests a show-stopping experience at the City’s only venue with its own funfair.

 

When can you hire City Centre the HAC?

City Centre the HAC is open for summer events from June to July, and for Christmas parties in November and December. Please check back later for the official dates of the 2018 seasons.

 

To find out more about City Centre the HAC or any of our other events venues in London, please get in touch with Ultimate Experience by phone or e-mail. You can also fill in our online enquiry form and one of our team members will respond as soon as possible.

 

Planning an event and looking for the perfect venue with a smaller capacity? Then here’s why you should choose the View at City Central at the HAC.

 

Five reasons to choose The View for smaller-capacity

summer events:

 

1. Enjoy exclusive access to the City Central’s funfair and other perks

By choosing The View as your London events venue, you’ll have privileged use of the City Central’s spectacular funfair, which has an amazing carousel, big wheel, dodgems, and stalls with prizes to be won.

You can hire a DJ to create a tailored playlist, or have a photo booth with special props set up so your guests can let their hair down and have a laugh.

 

2. Near the heart of the City

The View is just a few minutes’ walk from Moorgate (rail), Liverpool Street (rail, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan), Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) and Old Street (rail, Northern) stations, and is within easy reach of many of the City’s financial and legal firms.

 

3. World-class sound, lighting and technology

Like every London events venue managed by Ultimate Experience, The View benefits from state-of-the-art facilities so you can make the best impact. Plus, we have economies of scale, which means we have the bargaining power to get significant discounts – which can be passed on to you.

 

4. Stunning cuisine

Look forward to delicious food from our renowned catering partner, Create, which was proud to be voted Caterer of the Year at the 2017 Event Awards. For almost 35 years, it has served clients in dozens of luxury venues in London and across the UK, from marquees to museums.

 

5. Great for indoor and outdoor events

The View can accommodate between 150 and 500 guests at its private garden and indoor space, so you can still enjoy all the advantages of a prestigious venue for a smaller drinks reception, seated dinner or another function.

 

Please note that The View, like the rest of the City Central at the HAC, is open for summer events from early June to early July, and can also be hired for sensational Christmas parties in November and December.

 

Interested in booking a viewing of this luxury events venue in London? Then don’t hesitate to get in touch with Ultimate Experience today.

 

Join us for the biggest football game of the summer and support England as they smash their way through the 2018 World Cup at our World Cup Screening! On Monday 18th June watch England vs Tunisia with us!

 

Our World Cup Screening is the perfect way to immerse yourself and your guests in the spirit of the game. Watch on big screens with incredible atmosphere, where pundits, football legends and hosts will be in the audience with you. We’ll also be including unlimited drinks and post-match entertainment. We are also offering VIP tables, Celebrity tables and Football Legend tables.

 

Monday 18th June: England vs Tunisia

Timings: 4:30 – 11pm (7pm Kick Off)

What’s included:

~ Match viewing on large screens ~

~ All-inclusive house wine, bottled beer and soft drinks ~

~ Drinks reception (all inclusive sparkling wine cocktail and mocktail) ~

~ Three-course meal by award winning caterers, Create ~

~ Football hosts, pundits and legends ~

~ Exclusive tables ~

~ Post-match entertainment ~

~ Cash spirits bar ~

~ Programme ~

Prices and Packages

We’re also showing the England vs Belgium game on 28th June

at Old Billingsgate and The Pavilion at the Tower of London

 

It may be January, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead for the warmer months. Here are our top five entertainment ideas for your next summer party in 2018

Four great ideas for your next summer party

 

1 – A funfair

If you thought you were too old for the funfair, think again. Every summer, from late June to late July, we have a spectacular funfair with a big wheel, dodgems, carousel and authentic side stalls where funny prizes await all those lucky winners. In fact, this sought-after London summer party space is one of our largest, accommodating up to 2,400 guests for standing receptions, so it’s an ideal choice for big events.

summer party

 

2  – Neon lighting

A vintage neon theme is popular all year round, and in summer you can bring beautiful geometric patterns and bright lights into your London summer party venue. We’ll provide you with the best state-of-the-art lighting and sound so you can make an amazing impression, whichever venue you choose.

 

3 – Jazz

Hire a jazz act to put some vintage spectacle into your summer party space. Because we’re part of the Concerto Group, we have significant economies of scale and negotiating power, which means we can provide you with a show-stopping act for incredible value for money.

 

4 – A magician

Bring some mystery into your summer party in London by hiring a magician to show off some dazzling tricks. This is your chance to astound your guests with magic right in front of their eyes so they’ll be talking about your event for years.

 

Whether you’ve already celebrated your 2017 Christmas party or are about to prepare for it, here’s why it’s never too early to plan ahead for Christmas 2018.

 

1 – Get the best venue for your Christmas party

The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the venue you want!

 

2 – Book the perfect date and time

Would you prefer your party to take place in the daytime, a weekday evening or on the weekend? Do you mind celebrating it a little earlier in the year rather than the last Friday before the big day? Whatever you prefer, you’ll have far more slots to choose from if you plan well ahead.

It might seem strange, but it’s not uncommon for companies to book their Christmas party in London up to a year in advance. In fact, many of the city’s most sought-after venues become fully booked well before the festive season begins.

 

3 – Benefit from a wider choice of suppliers

From outstanding food to state-of-the-art sound and technology, we’ll make sure you get the best suppliers in London. For example, in 2016, our trusted catering partner, Create managed 12 simultaneous events and prepared another 32 events on its busiest day, 15th December. It also served an incredible 21,000 bowls of food on 1st December, and 10,000 pints of cream during the whole 2016 festive period! By booking early, you’ll have much more time to think about your London Christmas party theme, whether you’re considering a top music act or a retro ’80’s ski theme.

 

4 – Save money

Booking ahead will also make it easier to plan and manage your budget. Plus, if you book your suppliers months in advance, you could save money by taking advantage of inflation-busting prices.

 

5 – Consider a shared party

You can save even more money by booking a shared Christmas party for 2018. This will allow you to give your guests a showstopping celebration in a luxury venue for a much lower price than a private party. A shared event is a particularly convenient option if you’re planning an event for a smaller number of guests but want the grandeur and spectacle of a larger venue which would be too big to reserve privately.

Christmas Party for 2018 

 

If you have a particular venue in mind for your next Christmas party in London, let us know so we can book a private viewing for you.