Venue Focus Magazine Feature, Autumn 2004 - 'London's New Bridge’

Venue Focus Magazine Feature, Autumn 2004 - 'London's New Bridge’ Information:

From dirty car park to chic urban events venue in less than three years, The Bridge SE1’s extreme makeover impresses Astrid Mannion

It’s a Wednesday night in September and I’ve found myself beneath a series of arches by London Bridge station, glass of Champagne in hand, surrounded by 30,000sq ft of versatile event space. Had I come here three years earlier, I would only have had cars for company (this was once a smelly car park), but instead I’m rubbing shoulders with the glitterati of London’s event industry, who have turned out in force for the re-launch of The Bridge SE1. Everyone’s amazed at how this previously gritty urban venue has been smartened up with chic drapery and some £53,000 worth of stylish wooden floors.

‘We first came across The Bridge in late 2001 and immediately saw the potential for a large, flexible and inspiring venue,’ says Guy Rodger, the vice chairman of owners Concerto Group. ‘Since our first event at The Bridge in 2002 – a fashion show for Paul Smith Women, which was actually introduced to us by Square Meal – we have been on a sometimes frustrating journey getting the venue into a state that we can be proud of.’

Guy and his colleagues should now be very proud indeed. Guests are clearly impressed from the moment they walk through the Moulin Rouge-style entrance to find a back-lit spandex tunnel (the first of its kind in the UK) leading through to a creatively produced reception area with stylish furniture on one side and an eye-catching bar on the other. After further exploration of the vast interior, where different parts have been set up to showcase various styles of events, it’s easy to see why The Bridge SE1 is something of an organiser’s dream. ‘It looks absolutely fantastic! This opens up so many new avenues. It’s incredibly versatile and I like the way interlinked spaces can be sectioned off. There are so many fresh ideas here,’ raves Camilla Bain, an events director for Bubblefish.

Philip Hughes, MD of The Ice Box, discovered the venue some time back and decided it was the perfect site for his company’s 10th anniversary celebrations. The party, held last year, certainly made use of the venue’s broad access, showcasing eight tonnes’ worth of ice sculptures. Hughes was impressed. ‘The Bridge is a hidden gem with a unique, funky feel to it. I have already recommended it to others looking for something sizeable, yet lesser known and flexible,’ he says.

From the bar-like Deep Blue, a self-contained space that makes a great setting for drinks parties, to the Grey Zone with its elevated stage, The Bridge SE1 has so much to offer, not least a total stand-up capacity of 2,500, making anything from gigs (Blue, Soul2Soul and the Fun Lovin’ Criminals have all played here) to car launches possible. ‘Flexibility is the nature of the venue and we have very few restrictions. A party organiser myself, I can’t set limitations for clients and it’s great to see the venue used for so many different things,’ explains project manager, Matt Ryland.

By the looks and sounds of it, the only thing The Bridge needs now is another challenge, so if you think you can put it to the test, book yourself a show-round – we bet you won’t be disappointed.

Activity Options

The Bridge SE1 is operated by The Ultimate Experience, one of London’s top event organisers, particularly famous for its Christmas parties. This December, the team is installing a spectacular ice tunnel, a display of UV lighting and evocative lava projections to create a ‘Fire and Ice’ theme at the venue. Prices start from just £61 per person, including a drinks reception, dinner, free bar, entertainment and dancing.

Venue Focus Magazine Feature, Autumn 2004 - 'London's New Bridge’ Location:

For more information, visit venue’s website.