Alongside everything else going on in Northampton’s business community, there’s a decent scene for the events side of things too – conferences, office parties, team days out. This is the smaller half of what we cover here, but it’s worth its own space.
Corporate Events and Conferences
Northampton’s central location and transport links make it a practical base for meetings and conferences without the London price tag attached. Franklin’s Gardens does double duty as a conference and exhibition venue when the Saints aren’t playing, and there’s a decent spread of hotel and hired meeting space around the town for anything from a small away-day to a proper multi-day conference. If you’re planning something outdoors – summer product launches, larger gatherings that won’t fit in a standard meeting room – framed marquees and AV hire are worth looking into locally rather than trucking kit in from further afield.
Office Christmas Parties
Booking early matters more than venue choice, if we’re honest. December weekends go fast, particularly Fridays and Saturdays, so anyone leaving it until November is settling for whatever’s left. A few things worth getting right: think about how people are actually getting there (not everyone drives, and not everyone wants to), decide early whether you’re doing a sit-down meal or something with more room to move about, and get everything – service charges, room hire, any add-ons – confirmed in writing before you commit. Budget-wise, expect somewhere in the £40-60 per head range for a proper three-course do in a decent venue, with drinks packages adding another £15-25 on top depending how generous the company’s feeling.
Team Building
This is the bit that’s had the least attention on this site so far, and it’s overdue some. Northampton and the surrounding area has options for both the indoor and outdoor versions of team building – activity centres, outdoor spaces good for something more physical, venues that can handle a proper working session as well as an afternoon off. We’ll be building this section out properly rather than leaving it as an afterthought.
Getting the Basics Right
Whatever the event, the same things tend to matter: book early, particularly for anything in December; get quotes and details in writing rather than relying on a verbal agreement; and don’t overcomplicate the itinerary. The events that go well tend to be the ones where someone kept it simple and sorted the boring logistics – parking, transport, timing – properly in advance.
If you’re planning something in or around Northampton and want it covered here – or you run a venue or service that should be on our radar – get in touch.