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What's new at the Wessex Conference Centre?

Major Improvements at Winchester's The Wessex Conference Centre

The Wessex Conference Centre, based in Sparsholt, has enjoyed some major improvements of late, all of which directly benefit both corporate and private clients utilising their vast array of facilities. Over £250,000 has been ploughed in to renovation and redecoration of many of the venues at The Wessex Conference Centre, which is fast becoming the venue of choice in the area for conferences, weddings, banqueting and accommodation.

The restaurant named 'Bytes' has been completely refurbished from roof to floor, to create a bright and modern eating space. Head Chef Richard Cairns is delighted with the work quoting 'The restaurant provides delicious home cooked hot food as it always did, however, a fresh salad and pasta bar, and a wide range of eat-on-the-hoof food such as ciabattas, wraps and tortilla means extra choice for everyone who wishes to eat here. Prices remain competitive, but the surroundings are now exceptional, and must be seen to be believed'.

In addition, new double-glazed windows have been fitted in Jane Austen, and The Saxony Hall, which are not only aesthetically pleasing but functional and a great deal easier to use. And to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, new, fresh signage is being erected throughout the 400-acre site.

Eileen Bolton, Business Development Manager adds 'Its incredible to note that with all of the refurbishment work either finished or well underway, we also wanted to go that extra mile for our valued clients - the recreation centre is being fitted with new gym equipment; new shower and toilet suites have been fitted, and a modernised reception area now welcomes visitors, giving delegates even further ways to relax after a hard days work! Its just another way to entice new business to our wonderful venue, and thank established clients for their unfailing loyalty'.

The FA Cup comes to…The Wessex Centre!

It may not have been what Southampton FC had hoped for when they took on Arsenal in the FA CUP Final at St Mary's Stadium, but the cup is finally away from Highbury and has almost found its way back!

For one week The Wessex Centre at Sparsholt has played host to over 160 talented football-mad youngsters from all over the world, under the watchful eye of the staff and trainers from Arsenal Community Service. The children (girls and boys) include individuals from Salisbury City FC, Botley FC, Amesbury FC and Colden Common and Laverstock football clubs - a rare opportunity indeed. The FA Cup has been brought down so the youngsters have a chance to see it, hold it and have pictures taken with it - it provides some real inspiration and a tangible reason to keep striving to be better.

Throughout July and August Arsenal's community department arrange many schools for boys and girls between aged 7 - 12 years old, all teaching budding footballers the latest tricks and flicks whilst helping them perfect their ball control techniques. There are even weeklong courses at Highbury, the home of Arsenal FC.

Alan Sefton, manager of Arsenal in the Community said: "Arsenal Soccer Schools are always popular, especially throughout the summer months. The courses run for a week, and everyone that takes part gets presented with a certificate for their involvement. They are a great answer to summer boredom, and it doesn't matter which team you support!"

Patrick Vieira, Arsenal Captain said: "The Soccer Schools are really good fun, and a fantastic way to meet new friends. You get to play football all week and learn new skills that you can show off when the new school term begins. Come along with some friends and enjoy yourself, everyone has a great time."
The Wessex Centre with its 400 acres, three full size football pitches, indoor sports hall, and golf course has proven a perfect venue for Arsenal to host their summer schools and they are consistently proud to be Arsenal's chosen venue in the South for the past twelve years. With any luck, we may even throw up the next Thierry Henry or Ashley Cole…

The Disability Discrimination Act

£2.5 MILLION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

At The Wessex Conference Centre we pride ourselves on our mix of flexibility and accessibility, which is why this year, we are thrilled to announce that we have benefited from a massive £2.5 million spending programme to upgrade our facilities to achieve Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliance.

These works include brand new signage everywhere in the blue and white regulations colours. We also have Braille signs in appropriate areas, for example, male and female toilet facilities. We have installed lifts in vital areas of the college, have re-routed and re-laid paths for easy wheelchair access, and changed the lighting in some of the venues to help those who have difficulties seeing.

In addition, numerous other smaller jobs compliant with the Act have been willingly undertaken, including all stairs and steps being given ‘nosings’ – bright yellow strips, which make them markedly more visible and therefore far safer.

It has been a time for improvements across the board at dedicated Wessex Conference Centre sites and Sparsholt College. Archive articles from this year will provide further information on a great deal of modernisation that has occurred. Since that was written, other improvements outside of the venues include newly tarmaced road surfaces, and the installation of improved speed bumps and traffic calming measures.

We aim to give you the very best that is possible, and we are ever working towards that goal.

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