EDGE Venues

Attractions operator Merlin Entertainments Group’s EDF Energy London Eye held a launch event for its latest event space, the Silver Barracuda vessel. The river cruiser is moored on the South Bank, adjacent to the London Eye, and can be used to host events independently or alongside nearby attractions the SEA LIFE London Aquarium and the London Eye. The Silver Barracuda can accommodate up to 230 guest’s reception-style or 140 seated for dinner.

One of Brighton’s best kept hotel secrets is to get a new lease of life. The 12-bedroom Blanch House in Atlingworth Street, Kemp Town, was purchased last week by independently owned Seventeenten Hospitality Ltd – with the aim of respecting the Regency townhouse’s heritage as one of the city’s first boutique hotels and further developing it as a warm, contemporary establishment offering a professional and personalised service, stylish accommodation and quality breakfast, at prices to suit most people’s pockets. Scheduled to open in July, Blanch House – located ten minutes walk from the centre of Brighton and a stone’s throw from the seafront – is currently undergoing a major refurbishment which also will enable it to become a top class venue with a ‘green’ ethos for weddings, civil partnerships, private functions, conferences, meetings, training, product launches and art exhibitions.

Accor Hotels has signed a franchise agreement with Focus Hotels adding 10 hotels to its network of Mercure properties in the first quarter of 2011

Leeds is expanding its conference offering with the New Ellington Hotel, which can offer guests 35 bedrooms in the city’s financial district. For meetings, the hotel can offer three conference rooms, for capacities ranging from 5 to 25.