The Mermaid Conference and Events Centre
Puddle Dock, Blackfriars
London, United Kingdom [Europe]
Updated On: 10/11/2009  [Hits: 75]
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The Mermaid Conference & Events Centre has been a leading venue for over 20 years and during that time we have played host to a diverse mix of organisations. The events we have staged have been just as varied and range from conferences, seminars, staff meetings, after-premiere parties, AGMs, product launches and fashion shows to spectacular galas and hospitality functions.

Our clients have included KPMG, BBC, Labour Party, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Unilever, to name but a few. They have all become loyal clients over the years, returning time and again because of the flexibility and unique character of The Mermaid and our ability to stage events that fit with and promote their corporate image.

As you’ll see as you explore our various rooms with their different capacities, we offer an almost limitless range of possibilities to event organisers. We also know how important it is to choose the right venue and create the right atmosphere. That’s why our enthusiastic and experienced team will be on hand to advise on every aspect of your event – from the initial costing through to the stage management and even the best way to communicate your message to delegates.

History
Originally named The Mermaid Theatre, this building was conceived in the 1950’s by the late Sir Bernard Miles. He funded the building by persuading the City of London to donate the site and asking the people of London to give him the money to buy the bricks. Sir Bernard had the foresight to design and build more than just a theatre, and it is thanks to him that the Mermaid Conference and Events Centre now boasts a wider range of rooms than just about any other City venue. Following a major refurbishment in October 2004, The Mermaid now offers its guests an even more impressive and diverse experience. The first class views and hospitality remain the same, but our upgraded facilities have earned us a deserved reputation as one of London's most individual and exciting conference and event venues.

Services
A short walk from Blackfriars and St Paul’s stations, the Mermaid offers an unrivalled level of individuality and charisma. With splendid views overlooking the Thames, excellent facilities and a first class catering service, it is little wonder that the Mermaid is one of London’s most exciting conference and event venues. Combined conference, meeting and party facilities in one unique environment.

• Events Planning
Our experienced team will be on hand to help you at every stage of planning and running your event. From board meeting and major conferences to banquets and training days, we can offer the kind of practical and creative advice that’s so important to making your event a success. Throughout the planning process and during the event itself, your main point of contact will be your Conference & Events Sales Manager. This will be the person who has worked with you from the first phone call, so they will understand your requirements inside out. We will also assign a Duty Manager to your event to provide invaluable support throughout.

• Celebrations and Parties
In recent years, our themed Christmas parties have become the talk of the town and Christmas 2006 was a great event that lived up to that reputation. From the moment the client walked in, the 'Big Freeze' theme surrounded you. White Christmas trees, icebergs and icicle lights set the scene and led you through to a transformed River Room. Guests were welcomed with a cocktail and all admired the views of a wintry Thames through ice frosted windows.

Dinner was served in the Blackfriars Room with a canopy of white fabric, glittering columns and sculptural icicles. The chairs and tables continued the white, snowy theme and as a contrast, table centres had elegant black birch entwined with sparkle.

The pictures here encapsulate the quality of The Mermaid theming from The Big Freeze in 2006 as we are awaiting our final sketches for 2007’s ‘Party at the end of the Universe’.

• Food and Beverages
Flexible menus to suit your requirements. Our food and beverage team is here to help you put together the perfect catering package for your event. Our own chef creates a wide varirty of menus, using only the very best ingredients. Our selection of beautifully presented food ranges from hot and cold meals to fork or finger buffets and canapés. Our menus are flexible and can be tailored to fit your event or we can prepare entirely individual menus if you prefer.

• Technical Services
The technical department at The Mermaid is available to assist in recreating your exact requirements, to ensure the successful presentation of your event. Unlike most venues that use external AV companies, the Mermaid utilises full time technicians, ensuring your event is looked after by professionals who know the building, its capabilities and the equipment in situ. If you prefer to bring in your own production company, our technicians will work with them, oversee and help resolve any situations that may arise. The Mermaid has a vast range of equipment and is usually able to adapt, at short notice, to the changing requirements of events. Your dedicated Sales Manager has hire details of the most requested types of equipment, and the technical team is able to quote for anything that isn’t listed.

The in-house team has extensive experience of recommending the appropriate way to integrate additional corporate branding into the building, as well as full scale lighting design and layout. Room themes can be created wherever your event is being held, for example change your reception in the Blackfriars Room to a sparkle filled mirror ball and silk swathed champagne reception or dinner. Add a chill out area to the Gallery with a star clothed wall, lit silk panels and zebra print seating.

• Security
Security is a priority at every event, and The Mermaid has worked in partnership with security firm Soundsec for many years. Soundsec has an excellent reputation with the Corporation of London authority, the Security Industry Authority (SIA), the Metropolitan Police and other regional councils.

Soundsec have adopted global best practice in every area of their work and follow strict UK training and licensing regulations. This guarantees the highest calibre of vetted, trained and SIA licensed guards.

It is testimony to our security standards that The Mermaid has been chosen for a number of high profile events such as The Labour Party Manifesto Launch, live musical events from BBC Radio 2 and various events with royalty in attendance.