The Harrogate International Centre (HIC) has confirmed its £13m venue expansion scheme will be completed in December.
Harrogate broke ground on its two new exhibition halls
18 months ago, which will increase total capacity by an extra 3,100sqm
to 18,500sqm. The first events to take advantage of the new space will
be the Christmas and Gift Fair in January 2012.
The top
pillar-less hall is 1,620sqm and links directly into the venue’s Hall D
and 2,000-seat auditorium. The lower hall directly underneath is
1,480sqm and accessible via a staircase and lift.
As well as the
extra hall space, HIC has invested in a new registration atrium and an
outdoor piazza along with a second street-level entrance off Kings Road.
HIC
director Angus Houston said it is an exciting time for the venue and
its clients. A special preview event to showcase the new halls is being
held on 18 November.
“The investment in HIC’s facilities through
the creation of the two new halls and improving its existing spaces will
ensure we remain competitive and can cater for all manner of events,”
Houston said. “We’ll have the capacity to run multiple events
simultaneously and host a wider range of experiential events, banquets,
corporate productions and product launches.
“Ultimately this
development will enhance our reputation as a leading destination and
place the venue at the forefront of the events industry both nationally
and internationally.”
The project to improve HIC’s facilities has
been supported by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency,
which part-funded the £13m development plan along with Harrogate
Borough Council.
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