Fairview Hotels opens new banqueting centre in Ibis Stevenage

Fairview Hotels has opened a new five-star banqueting and conference centre in its Ibis Stevenage hotel, Hertfordshire, following an investment of £2.5m.

The venue, which was previously empty office space, has capacity for up to 625, and includes a bar and reception area, portable dance floor, and private canopied entrance.

Called the Forum Banqueting and Conference Centre, it is owned and run by Fairview but operated by the group as a separate company.

The banqueting hall is sound-proofed and air-conditioned, with LED lighting and plasma screens, plus access to a new professional catering kitchen. It has been developed with conferences, exhibitions, weddings, civil ceremonies and corporate or other private events in mind.

The hall is also close to an NCP car park allowing guests to park nearby.

Director of operations Neil Forbes also confirmed today that the group is currently in negotiations to open three to four new hotels this year; none within central London, but all within a two-hour radius of the Fairview Hotels head office in South Ruislip.

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