One of the county’s leading corporate hospitality destinations, Low Wood Bay Resort Hotel and Marina has reported a busy year for conferences and events.
Events at the venue have ranged from away-days for national brands such as Nandos through to conferences for BAE systems, Low Alpine and the National Parks Association, plus black-tie celebrations for the CBI, Cumbria Sports Awards and Lakes School leavers.
The hotel was also used as a base by GQ magazine when they did a lakes photo-shoot in the summer.
One of the more unusual events was the first Hostage Negotiators Ball, which returned to Low Wood Bay again in 2014.
Kevin Spedding, one of the organisers of The Hostage Negotiators Ball, says: “Yes, even hostage negotiators have parties. Our event was at Low Wood Bay in January and was in aid of Hostage UK, a charity that supports hostages and their families during and after a kidnap. In case you are wondering, we do the same things that other people do at parties, we eat, drink, chat and dance – and we try not to talk shop.
“We like going to Low Wood Bay because not only is the food and the setting great, the staff are also very friendly and efficient and they make sure we all enjoy our annual charity event “
Low Wood Bay also attracted events aimed at wild swimming enthusiasts such as the Great North Swim and the even colder Chill Swim, which took place in February 2 and brought 250 people to the venue. Both of these events will be returning in 2014.
The Cardboard Boat Race in May, in aid of the Calvert Trust, also provided competitors with lots of opportunities to make the most of the venue’s facilities by messing around in the lake and getting very wet.
Colin Fox, the marketing manager at English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues says “Last year we managed to attract a very wide range of events to Low Wood Bay.
“I think this is partly because we offer great facilities and customer service and partly the fabulous setting with very competitive packages to suit almost every type of group and occasion. Of course the Lake District is also a major draw for national brands and organisations who want to invest in a memorable event.
Low Wood Bay Resort Hotel and Marina has 111 bedrooms plus nine meeting rooms with the largest accommodating 340 delegates, however, the group has plans to expand its corporate facilities with a new convention centre which was granted planning permission in this important year for the venue.