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Post by Admin (Annette Andria) on Mar 8, 2007 11:40:45 GMT 1
Airshow site bid set for approval
A PLAN to build a giant exhibition centre at Farnborough airfield was
expected to be given the green light by Rushmoor Council planners last night
(Wednesday).
The building, earmarked for the western edge of the International Airshow
site, has been designed to stage trade shows, conferences, exhibitions and
similar events.
Farnborough International Ltd, which submitted the planning application,
says the events would last between three and five days. There will be up to
25 events a year, many of them expected to attract up to 5,000 visitors -
but the building will not be used to stage concerts.
In a report council planning chiefs say the centre would benefit the local
economy, and would also help solve the problem of under-use of the airshow
site
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Post by Admin (Annette Andria) on Apr 3, 2007 16:47:47 GMT 1
xhibition centre to be built at airfield
by Pete Castle
A HUGE £2 million permanent exhibition centre at Farnborough Airfield will be built and running events by October this year, according to its managers.
Party political conferences, blue-chip company product launches, consumer exhibitions, trade shows and corporate parties are just some of the events that may be attracted to the new venue, which will cover an area the size of a football pitch.
Farnborough International Ltd, the company that runs the Farnborough Airshow, has announced the lightning-fast plans to build the centre after being granted planning permission by Rushmoor Borough Council last month.
Groundwork will begin on the site in May, with bookings for the centre’s first events already being taken for October.
Suzanne Allis, head of the company’s business development, said the speed of the project was down to the company having done its homework.
“We had nine months of planning on the project before it even was submitted for planning permission,” she told the Mail.
“There has already been more than a year’s research, including a feasibility study.”
A pre-fabricated modular structure will help to reduce the construction time of the massive building, only the third of its kind in the UK.
The new venture, called Five (Farnborough International Venue and Events), aims to cash in on the £9.3 billion UK events industry, which employs more than 137,000 people.
The new centre should provide a year-round boost to the local and regional service economy, which currently benefits from extremely seasonal demand as a result of the biennial air show.
Despite its discontinuous nature, the Farnborough Airshow provides millions of pounds’ worth of business to the local economy, bringing in an estimated £19 million within a 25-mile radius of the airfield, and £9.5million in the immediate vicinity of the show.
Caterers, taxi firms, hotels, restaurants and shops all benefit from the show, and it is now hoped that business will be boosted by year-round demand from events at the new centre.
Managers of Five intend to forge links with local suppliers and businesses by producing a service directory, which will be made available to event and exhibition organisers.
Small contractors will also be employed to prepare the groundwork where the building will be constructed.
Andrew Lloyd, chief executive of Rushmoor Borough Council, welcomed the new venue.
“We think a quality facility will help to boost the local economy and generate a great deal of business,” he said.
“It is a venue that can be used by existing businesses in the borough, as well as attracting new business to the area.
“It reinforces Farnborough’s position as a showcase, as a place to do business, and as a place to see the best of business on display.”
While pleased about the development, Mr Lloyd reassured residents their needs would always be of paramount importance to the council.
“Of course we will always try to minimise any disruption to people living nearby,” he added.
The £2 million building will provide 4,400 square metres of exhibition or conference space in a hangar-like structure, designed to complement the futuristic Farnborough Airport terminal, opened last year by TAG Aviation, on the other side of the airport runway.
The contemporary-style building will be clad in a grey composite, will be fully insulated and provide natural daylight into the exhibition space, which without any internal supports will allow uninterrupted access to exhibitors.
Only the third of its kind in the UK, the European-designed building is similar to a version often seen used as airport terminals and warehouses on the continent.
“It’s like a big Meccano set,” Ms Allis said. “It all fits together on-site, which is why the building time is much faster than with a traditional building project.”
Built as a rival to such international venues as ExCel, in Canary Wharf, London, managers hope that Five’s position within the perimeter of the airfield, and surrounded by open space, will appeal to clients looking for exclusivity and flexibility.
As well as traditional exhibition stands, the space could be arranged as a 3,000 capacity all-seater arena, or laid out for lunch for 1,496 diners. An optional 1,000 square metre temporary mezzanine level will be available for exhibitors, along with permanent kitchen, catering and toilet facilities. Smaller groups can be catered for in a smaller, first floor area, seating up to 240 people for conferences, business meetings or private parties.
Ms Allis said there was a need for a larger, more flexible venue for large meetings and small conferences for businesses in the area which Five hopes to fill.
“There is a good space for day-to-day meetings for 60 people or more,” she said.
“Our feasibility study showed that the area lacks this kind of space. It could be used by community groups holding annual general meetings, charity events or large board meetings
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