The Derby Conference Centre hosts conferences, training days, exhibitions, awards dinners and weddings for up to 400 people, with 12 meeting rooms and 50 en-suite bedrooms under one roof. It occupies the Grade II listed former British Rail Training College on London Road in Derby, set in 8 acres of grounds.
Seminars and company events
The largest space, the Sunken Lounge, takes up to 400 delegates and is used for large events, exhibitions and job fairs. Combined suites cover mid-size plenaries, and smaller suites serve as breakout rooms. Meeting rooms have high-definition projectors and screens, with LCD projectors, flipcharts and lecterns on hand, stationery included in day packages and free fiber Wi-Fi. The conference team can source other equipment. Eleven of the 12 rooms are step-free from the main entrance. Beyond meetings, the venue runs annual dinners, awards evenings with a three-course meal or a buffet, graduation events, charity balls, team building days and Christmas party nights.
Weddings and receptions
The rooms are licensed for civil ceremonies, so the ceremony and the reception can take place in the same building. The Sunken Lounge takes a ceremony for up to 400 and a seated celebration for up to 220. The Stephenson and Euston Suite takes 180 for a ceremony and 150 seated, and the Euston Suite 84 and 70. Packages range from a small day for 40 guests to formats with 50 day and 100 evening guests, plus a bespoke option. Each package includes a night in the wedding suite, and up to 20 bedrooms can be held for guests.
Rooms and capacities
Published maximums: Sunken Lounge 400, Stephenson and Euston Suite 200, Hamlyn Suite 140, Euston Suite 78, Wilkinson Suite 70, Beckett and Ascot Suite 70. The Stephenson Suite works on its own as a conference or breakout room. Figures by layout are not published, so ask the conference team for theatre or banquet numbers. The grounds have outdoor areas large enough for marquees and private dinners.
Accommodation
The hotel has 50 en-suite bedrooms in single, twin, double and premier categories, including an accessible double room with wider doors and a roll-in shower. Rooms have a desk, flat-screen TV and tea and coffee facilities, and the front desk is staffed 24 hours. India House, a separate self-catering property, is available for longer stays.
Catering
Catering is in-house. Day packages cover delegate meals, wedding menus run from a set three-course meal to hot buffets, canapés and evening buffets, and drinks packages cover reception drinks and toasts. The Wyvern Bar and bistro serve resident guests, although they may close during private functions.
History and setting
The building served as the British Rail Training College before it became a conference venue, and it is now Grade II listed. Guests often mention its art deco details, and the Sunken Lounge is its best-known room. The 8 acres of grounds give delegates outdoor space between sessions.
Getting there
Derby station is about 10 minutes by taxi or 20 minutes on foot. Arriva buses 1 and 1a stop at Ascot Drive, two minutes away, every 15 minutes. By road the venue is close to the M1 and M42, and East Midlands Airport is nearby. Parking is free, with up to 300 spaces, four accessible spaces at the front and 14 electric charging points.
