Business Profile
More and more businesses looking for a professional venue with clear and honest pricing, free of hidden extras, are discovering the excellent corporate facilities at Newbury Rugby Club.
Newbury Rugby Catering Bars and Conferencing might be a mouthful, but its no-nonsense approach to event management and commitment to provide top quality food is proving a winning line up when it comes to attracting businesses during these challenging financial times.
The company is run by Steve Leadley and Simon Liquorish and is based at the popular rugby club on Monks Lane, Newbury.
Steve Leadley explained: “We know our approach works because often our enquiries have come from people disappointed with the way they have been treated at hotels. For instance, our wi-fi is free whether you are using the café as a pit stop or hosting a major event – we have one customer who told us about a hotel where he ended up paying more for internet access and other extras than the room.
“We have inclusive room prices that we believe are among the most competitive in West Berkshire. This ranges from only £300 per day for the Wickens Suite, which can accommodate 200 theatre style or 160 for dinner – and that includes the in-built projector and screen and an interactive whiteboard. The price is only £250 for half a day or an evening.
“The Langdon can accommodate 30 people
theatre style or 18 to 20 set up as a boardroom and we can supply a portable projector for only £45 for half a day or £85 for the full day. We also have the Kickers Bar downstairs, which can hold a similar number to the Wickens Suite.
“We are completely flexible when it comes to the food and while we have menu choices, we can always create something to suit someone’s needs or budget.”
Indeed it is the quality of the food that truly sets this venue apart and whether it is the food at a function, lunch for a corporate client, a buffet for a product launch or simple snacks at the coffee bar, the quality of the locally sourced food is always commented upon – little wonder when you realise the pedigree of the team behind it are also responsible for The Highclere Red House and The Langley Hall Inn at Beedon.
Chef Tony Gough consistently wins the praise of clients and he is helped by the head chef at The Red House, Miles Wickes, who has designed the menu. There is also a sales and marketing manager, Susie Palmer, who handles the bookings.
Many of the businesses which become regular users of the conference facilities at Newbury Rugby Club have been corporate guests on match days.
Steve Leadley explained: “Many local and indeed national businesses choose match days to entertain clients and prospective customers and when the see how well we look after them, how great the food is and how great the facilities are, they often get in touch.
“We have also benefited from a number of large networking events that have been hosted here as again, they give businesses the chance to see that while we might be a rugby club, we have excellent facilities for hosting events.
“Sometimes the very fact that we are a rugby club is the draw and during the summer the extensive grounds here are available to businesses that use us. Also the parallels between sports and success in business are not lost on visitors here.”
Newbury Rugby Catering Bars and Conferencing
Tel: (01635) 239669
Email: susiepalmer@newburyrfc.co.uk
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