The Hough End Centre in Chorlton, Manchester, is open to the public for conferences, business meetings, functions and weddings. Its largest room, the Anderton Suite, seats 200 theatre style with the balcony, and four smaller rooms cover everything down to a six-person interview. The centre also has sports facilities on the same site.
Seminars and company events
The conference offer is the strongest part of the site. Five rooms are listed, each with published layouts. The Anderton Suite is air conditioned, has several power points and can be set up as conference rounds for 100, theatre for 160 (200 with the balcony), classroom for 75, open square for 60, boardroom for 56 or U shape for 46. Hire includes a projector and screen, an on-site laptop, microphones, a lectern, a sound system, WiFi, flip charts, pens and paper, mints, water and cordials. Tea, coffee and a buffet are optional extras.
Weddings and receptions
The Anderton Suite holds up to 140 guests for a formal wedding breakfast. It has a stage for a live band, its own bar and a dance floor for the evening. For a smaller reception, the Lounge Bar seats up to 50 in formal arrangement. Decoration hire is available, including chair covers, sashes and tablecloths, and couples may also bring their own. The centre's team asks couples to call during office hours to arrange a meeting.
Rooms and capacities
The Anderton Suite is the largest room. The Watson Suite, newer to the list, takes 60 theatre style, 40 at round tables, 30 classroom, 25 open square or U shape, and 22 boardroom. The John Berry Suite, described as a formal room for getting work done, takes 30 theatre style or at round tables, 22 boardroom, 20 classroom and 18 U shape. The Manchester Suite seats six boardroom style for small meetings or interviews. The Annex, behind the Lounge Bar, takes up to 20 for informal meetings.
For functions, the Anderton Suite holds 140 for a formal dinner and 200 in a more informal arrangement. The Lounge Bar holds 50 for a formal dinner and 80 for an informal party, with a corner stage for a DJ or small band.
Catering
Food is prepared by the centre's contracted chef. The wedding sample menu offers a choice of soups, pate or mushrooms as starters, a choice of roast chicken, beef stew or roast pork as mains, and desserts served with Chantilly cream. For meetings, tea, coffee and buffets can be added to the room hire. The Anderton Suite has its own bar with a late licence.
History and setting
The Hough End Centre is run by the Greater Manchester Police Sports and Social Club. It was built for the purpose and combines meeting rooms, function rooms, a lounge bar and a sports hall. The facilities are available to members of the public as well as to club members.
Getting there
The address is Mauldeth Road West, Chorlton, Manchester M21 7SX. The official site describes the location as central and easy to reach. Booking and enquiries go through the team on 0161 856 1797 or the enquiry form.
