Business Profile
DRIVING up over the Lambourn downs to meet Russell Downing, the manager at the Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre, it is easy to see why so many companies come here for strategic away days.
The bustle of day to day life slips away as easily as the Red Kite hovers above the verge pass. Newbury Business Today’s Nigel Morgan discovers more about what makes Sheepdrove such an exceptional venue.
Russell Downing smiles as he meets me, knowing that yet again someone has been blown away by the sheer beauty of Sheepdrove. “We do have a truly fantastic facility here,” he said. “We have excellent state of the art conference facilities and we have Sheepdrove’s green credentials. The fact that it does the power of good for a company’s own green image to come and use us is surely a bonus in this age of corporate social responsibility (CSR).”
Isn’t that a little hypocritical? Inviting companies which might be less than green to capitalise on Sheepdrove’s formidable reputation for being green, from the organic farm to the eco conference centre itself?
“Not at all,” said Russell Downing. “Even if a company came here solely because they believed it would enhance their green credentials, they could not fail to learn something of what we do here, how important it is and the difference that we and indeed they can make.
“The majority of companies will opt to include a farm tour or a visit to the reed beds as part of the time they spend here. It usually takes place after lunch – and that is a hearty three-course farmhouse lunch so a spot of fresh air doesn’t go amiss. Lunch itself is an education with our kitchens specialising in seasonal cuisine and nearly all the vegetables having been grown here and the animals reared here. How many venues can claim that?
“If we can get people here that is what matters; Land Rover held a launch here and people might ask how we balance the two sides of being green ourselves and then hosting an event for a four-by-four company. However, the fact that Land Rover chose to showcase a vehicle here reflects their awareness of the issues while understanding they have a product vital to farmers.
“I believe people are getting a bit tired of going and staying in another anonymous hotel conference room. Certainly, the difference we offer, whether it is for 200 people in the Oak Room with its vaulted ceiling or for a much smaller group within the intimacy of sitting on a giant sheepskin beanbag in the intimate and unique atmosphere of The Rook’s Nest.
“We have had as few as two people come here for a meeting and plenty of groups of 10 or 20 people, through to the much larger groups. We have very versatile space here, it was designed that way so that companies that need syndicate rooms or further meeting rooms have that choice.
“We also offer a fully inclusive delegate rate. That is what you pay and there will be no hidden extras or bolt-ons. We have already invested in the audio visual and presentation equipment that companies might require and those are included within the rate, as is everything else you would expect from coffees and teas through to a hearty lunch.”
Let’s not forget either that Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre recently scooped a top industry award, when it was awarded the title of the ‘Most Excellent Dedicated Venue’ 2008 in the Condé Nast Johansens Annual Awards for Excellence.
These elite accolades are presented to venues worldwide which consistently achieve the finest standards and best value for money. The awards are based on responses from guest nomination forms, guest survey reports, and the regional inspector reports drawn from the venues and hotels featured in their guides.
“We run the centre in a way that keeps events eco friendly” continued Mr Downing. “Our power supply is 100 per cent renewable ecotricity. A computerised building management system controls the heating and natural cooling process for best efficiency. The clever design of the centre makes the most of natural light, passive ventilation and excellent insulation.”
It is little wonder that Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre boasts a diverse list of companies and organisations that have used the venue, many returns again and again. From Innocent, makers of the popular smoothies, through to Land Rover and power company Eon, together with companies you might expect to associate themselves with Sheepdrove, like The Soil Association, Seeds of Change, The National Trust and the RSPCA. Both Defra, the Government Department for Farming and Rural Affairs and SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency have also chosen to host events at Sheepdrove.
There is a sad irony that while more and more companies are travelling from around the UK to witness first hand Sheepdrove’s eco-approach and to be associated with its green credentials, yet there are clearly many local companies who choose soulless hotels for their conferences rather than pick a venue with a difference that makes a difference.
“We do want more companies to discover us,” said Mr Downing. “National companies see how easy it is to reach us from the M4 and A34, however the challenge lies with persuading companies in Lambourn, Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford to make the short journey to Sheepdrove and discover just how much we have to offer.”
Russell Downing concluded: “Once people have been here and seen just how much we have to offer then they will almost always book with us. How many venues can confidently say that? We would extend a warm invitation to any Newbury Business Today readers to contact us and discover for themselves what makes Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre so truly exceptional.”
Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre
Tel: (01488) 674748
Fax: (01488) 674720
Web: www.sheepdrove.com
The perfect venue for your wedding
The breathtaking beauty of the architecture and its stunning setting in the heart of the countryside also lends Sheepdrove to the romantic splendour of hosting weddings, and as a licensed venue it helps couples tie the knot and celebrate too.
The venue has already become experienced in hosting the perfect day and is growing in popularity as both an alternative and thoroughly original location.
A Midsummer’s Night dream venue
Sheepdrove is building a reputation as a cracking venue for corporate entertaining and after a sell out Burn’s Night in January plans are already well underway for a Midsummer Charity Ball, that promises to be the hot ticket of the summer.
To be held on June 21, the longest day of the year, the event offers corporate tables at a rate of £750 per table of 10 and aims to raise cash for the Newbury Breast Care Support Group.
More Profiles Next Story: David Small