central hall westminster news 

It continues to be a busy 2024 for BNC Show host venue Central Hall Westminster.

January started off with a ‘grand makeover’ of the iconic venue’s Great Hall.

The stunning space took a brief hiatus off the events calendar to have a new, top-of-the-line PA speaker system installed thanks to the in-house White Light AV experts.

The new permanent fixture promises an ‘elevated sound experience from every seat in the house’.

Said Ella Parchment, Marketing Manager, explains more:

“We also utilised this closure to revamp and tidy up the Great Hall's wiring and give the space a fresh look. These final touches have ensured we’re performance-ready for years to come.

"Finally, the Goods Lift, a pivotal part of our event delivery, has had a major facelift. Embracing cutting-edge technology, we have refurbished the lift, doors, and shaft so we can continue to deliver events seamlessly.”

The venue was therefore catwalk ready in February when it was the chosen location for London Fashion Week.

Designer Priya Ahluwalia showcased her Autumn / Winter 2024 collection using the  venue’s Lecture Hall and Library.

Five hundred guests were seated around a runway which featured real trees and sounds of fairytales.

White Light worked closely with the show’s lighting designer constructing over 50 lighting fixtures to enhance the fashion pieces and the show’s flora and fauna aesthetic.

Central Hall Westminster also provided ample dressing space for models and crew on level 1 of the historic building.

And this month sees entrepreneur, investor, best-selling author and host of hit podcast The Diary of A CEO, Steven Bartlett, kick off his new international lecture series in the Great Hall on 11th, 12th and 18th of March.

The professional speaker’s talks, aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike, will be one of the first to be delivered in the upgraded Great Hall before he tours the UK, Australia and Dubai.

Michael Clapham, Promoter, Kilimanjaro, said: “We're tremendously excited to bring Steven's show to Central Hall Westminster for our first-ever show at one of London's hidden gems.”

Sarah Franczak, chief operating officer, Central Hall Venues, said: 

“Steven Bartlett is such an inspirational figure, so we’re thrilled that he has chosen the Great Hall at Central Hall Westminster as the place to share his latest insights and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs. 

"Our new state-of-the-art PA system and other updates will enhance the experience for these talks and future events so we can’t wait to see and hear it all in action.”

About Central Hall Westminster
Central Hall Westminster offers 23 versatile spaces accommodating gatherings from 60 to over 2,000 people. The Grade II* listed building was first inaugurated as a public meeting space for the Methodist Church in 1912. It hosts over 800 diverse events every year.

Fun Fact

In 1966, the renowned FIFA World Cup Trophy was stolen from its display in the Library of Central Hall Westminster, causing widespread panic during what would become one of Scotland Yard's most significant investigations at the time. Rewards were offered in the hope of recovering the trophy.

This is when Pickles, the courageous canine, entered the scene. A week later, Pickles, the Collie, successfully detected the valuable object hidden under a bush in a park located in south London. In recognition of his determined efforts, Pickles received a solid silver medal, £53 in cash, a rubber bone, a year's supply of dog food, and even secured a role on a comedic show titled "The Spy with the Cold Nose."

Interestingly, Mr. Corbett, the owner of Pickles, also benefited from the situation, winning an impressive £6,000, a sum significantly exceeding the £1,360 bonuses awarded to each member of the England football team for their World Cup victory.