About Manchester
Manchester is one of the most prominent cities in the UK and has millions of visitors from within the UK and all around the world. It is the largest city in Northern England and has over half a million residents making it the fifth most populated city in the country.
Manchester is also well-known for being home to two world-class football teams, Manchester City and Manchester United. Both teams have a massive fanbase of football fans from all around the world. They are very dominant in the sport hence their popularity.
Manchester is a great place to host an off-site event as there are various places where you can arrange your meeting; you will easily be able to find a fantastic venue away from your workplace. Thanks to this enormous city, dozens of spectacular venue hiring options give you the freedom to choose a venue of your choice. This handy guide will assist you in arranging your off-site meeting so that your event runs smoothly.
Off-Site Location Options in Manchester
When scouting for an off-site venue in Manchester, you must keep many things in mind so that the event goes well for everyone attending. The last thing you would want is for people to be in an uncomfortable position because of not having the necessary facilities they require, such as disabled parking and toilet, seating arrangements, etc.
To ensure the event's purpose is fulfilled, there are plenty of things you will have to keep in mind. The venue should be accessible, close to public transport and have all the required equipment and positive reviews from previous customers.
- Accessibility
Booking a venue in a remote area far from the city’s heart would make it very inconvenient for visitors. It will not only make the visitors feel unsafe but also make it difficult to access for some. Hence, before deciding on your venue, you must ensure that the venue is located in a safe and secure place. You will also have to consider that some of the visitors might have disabilities; therefore, arranging the event in such a way that there is no inconvenience for those with disabilities will be very thoughtful.
- Public Transport
Manchester is highly populated and full of traffic. As a result, more and more people have started to use public transportation in the city. Thus, arranging your off-site meeting in a remote place where public transport isn’t available would not be a good idea.
- Equipment
The last thing you would want is to turn up at your venue on the day of the meeting and realise that none of the expected equipment is there. It would be a good idea to rent a venue with all the required items you will need, such as projectors, screens, microphones and speakers, along with all the other things necessary for your event to run as planned. Try visiting the venues beforehand to get an idea of all the facilities they have so that you can finally decide on the venue that will be a good fit for your upcoming off-site meeting.
- Online Reviews
Checking online reviews is a must! Venues that look nice on the internet may not be as good. Therefore, to know just how good a venue is, you will have to read previous customers’ reviews. Reading thoughts of earlier hirers will give you the freedom to judge how good the venue is. Instead of going for a venue that is low-priced but has bad reviews, invest in a slightly pricier venue that has excellent reviews. This will ensure that your visitors get a great impression of your organisation. Don’t worry, though, as many options are available!
- Price
Hiring a venue that is both suitable for your off-site meeting and affordable would be ideal! Even though Manchester is substantially cheaper than London, it can still be a little costly, so finding an affordable venue may be challenging. If you haven’t got a high budget, start looking for a venue in Greater Manchester rather than in the city centre.
Pros and Cons of Off-Site Locations in Manchester
Pros
- Options
Since Manchester is a city where many business seminars and meetings are held, you will have several options to choose from for your off-site location.
- Transport
Transport in Manchester is excellent. As long as you book a venue near public transport services, visitors won’t have difficulty arriving at the off-site meeting place.
- Safe
As discussed earlier, it would not be a good idea to book your venue in a remote place within Manchester as this could cause visitors to feel insecure and exhausted. Having said that, if you have no choice and can't find a venue within your budget, you may be forced to book a venue far away from the main city. Don’t worry though, because Manchester is one of the safest cities in the region, and most of those attending will probably know that anyway.
Cons
- Weather
If you ask a local to describe the weather in Manchester, they would probably use adjectives like 'grey,' 'dull', and 'wet'. This is because it rains a lot in Manchester, and even though Manchester hasn’t got too many downsides, excessive rainfall delays many things. Booking your off-site meeting on a relatively sunny day would be a good idea.
Famous Locations in Manchester
- Heaton Park
Heaton Park is located in the north of Manchester and is a breathtaking place to visit, especially after a long day at work. Alongside the park is a beautiful lake home to ducks and other water-living animals. You may even get to spot peacocks that are scattered in different locations!
- Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral is located in the heart of Manchester and is a massive cathedral. This historical building was built in the early 1400s and restored in the Victorian era and later after the Second World War. Visiting Manchester Cathedral will allow you to learn many new things. It is only a two-minute walk from the National Football Museum, allowing you to see both iconic sites simultaneously. It is ruled by the Church of England denomination, one of the leading Christian denominations in England.