When it comes to corporate events, charity fund raisers, conferences and award ceremonies across the North East, there's one name that raises its head time and time again.
The occasions that take place at venues which are part of Ramside Estates read like the who’s who of the region’s celebrations.
It’s a combination of the sheer variety of options available, the top quality catering – which incidentally is also in equal demand at other venues – the numbers that can be accommodated and a track record which stretches back decades.
From the ballroom and the Bishop’s Suite at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa to smaller rooms suitable for meetings and intimate gatherings, to the grand surroundings of Hardwick Hall and its equally impressive suites of event spaces, it’s not surprising that Ramside Estates is one of the region’s leading leisure operators.
Ramside had also operated the former Lancastrian Suite at Dunston for a number of years before finally purchasing it, leading to a new name – The Fed – and a hefty investment to upgrade it.
It has been money well spent, given the large scale venue with its high end stage facilities and state-of-the-art AV can accommodate hundreds of people for a sit down dinner, hosts numerous sporting events and has its own programme of entertainment.
The event side of the business has been an important part of the Ramside Estates operation virtually since day one.
While running the hotels – along with the boutique country house, Bowburn Hall, the award-winning Impeccable Pig in Sedgefield and the recently added Funky Monk serviced apartments in Durham as well as bars such as Colonel Porter’s in Newcastle – is at the heart of the company’s activity, so is being the company of choice for so many organisations.
Event spaces at Ramside can take from 500 right down to the elegant green room which houses up to 30 and the hotel facilities means for those planning an overnight conference, everything they need is under one roof.
The same goes for Hardwick, set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Hardwick Country Park, and with plans to add a new wing of rooms plus a spa currently underway, it has also become a popular choice for organisations of all sizes.
Again the meeting rooms can hold up to 350 and the temporary marquees that are erected at varying times throughout the year can take as many as 1500 for larger corporate or charity events.
For John Adamson, owner of Ramside Estates, events have been an integral part of the company’s offering.
“We firmly believe that we have some of the best event facilities in the region and the added bonus – particularly at Ramside and Hardwick – of having luxury hotels as part of that, makes them really appealing,” he said.
“We have spent years building a reputation for being able to deliver regardless of the event and that’s why we believe people come back to us time and time again.
“Our event catering arm has also continued to go from strength to strength, with us providing the food at many of the biggest events in the region and at lots of different prestigious locations.”