The Business Design Centre (BDC) in London stands as one of the city’s most iconic venues for corporate and business-focused events. Nestled in the vibrant district of Islington, the BDC offers an ideal blend of historic charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive option for hosting everything from large conferences and exhibitions to intimate seminars and product launches. This blog provides insights into the history of the Business Design Centre, the types of events it hosts today and how Event Hire UK can facilitate your event with quality business event furniture hire services.
The Business Design Centre’s history is as interesting as the architecture that houses it. Originally built as the Royal Agricultural Hall in 1862, the venue was a major centre for agricultural shows and exhibitions, showcasing everything from livestock to machinery. Its design, featuring expansive glass and ironwork, was ahead of its time and contributed to making it a notable London landmark. The building became known as the “Agricultural Hall” or, colloquially, “The Aggie”
By the 20th century, the building had seen varied use and fell into a period of decline. However, a revival came in the 1980s, when it was transformed into what we now know as the Business Design Centre. This redevelopment, completed in 1986, modernised the space while retaining its historic character, turning it into a hub for business and creative industries.
Today, the Business Design Centre is one of London’s premier venues for hosting a variety of business events. With its strategic location just minutes away from King’s Cross and St Pancras International, the BDC offers excellent accessibility for both local and international attendees. This ease of access, combined with state-of-the-art facilities, makes it a preferred choice for many event organisers.
The BDC is known for its flexible event spaces that cater to diverse needs:
Exhibitions and trade shows: The expansive main hall and adjoining areas make the BDC a prime location for large-scale exhibitions. With over 600,000 visitors annually, it is a bustling centre for trade shows across multiple industries, including technology, fashion and sustainability, to name just a few.
Conferences and seminars: The venue’s adaptable spaces are perfect for conferences of all sizes. Modern conference facilities and meeting rooms equipped with audiovisual technology ensure that each presentation runs smoothly. Organisers can host anything from small seminars with breakout sessions to large multi-day corporate conferences.
Product launches and networking events: The venue’s stylish design, complemented by its historical backdrop, makes it an impressive setting for product unveilings and networking events. The combination of open spaces and private rooms allows event planners to create a tailored atmosphere that matches the branding and goals of their event.
A successful business event at the BDC relies on more than just the venue itself. The right business event furniture hire plays a crucial role in creating a professional and welcoming environment for attendees. Event Hire UK specialises in business event furniture rentals, providing a wide array of options that can transform any space within the BDC into a functional and visually appealing setting, all from our conveniently-location London sales and distribution centre. The main items hired from us to go to the BDC include;
Customisable seating arrangements: For conferences and presentations, comfortable and stylish seating is a must. Event Hire UK offers a range of chair hire options, from executive chairs for panel discussions to more casual seating for networking areas. The BDC’s versatile spaces are well-matched with our inventory, ensuring that your event is not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing.
Tables, desks and workstations: Whether you need high-top poseur tables for networking zones or modular desks for interactive workshops, our range of tables can accommodate your event’s requirements. The modern design of our business event furniture rentals complements the BDC’s sleek and spacious environment.
Lounge and networking furniture hire: For events that encourage mingling and collaboration, incorporating lounge areas with comfortable sofas and coffee tables can make a significant difference. Event Hire UK’s selection includes sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and more that suit both formal and relaxed settings, providing the perfect backdrop for productive interactions.
Event Hire UK has a long-standing relationship with the Business Design Centre, having supplied business event furniture rentals to numerous corporate functions hosted there. This experience gives us in-depth knowledge of the venue’s layout, logistics and operational intricacies. Our familiarity with its access points and parking rules enables us to deliver and set up furniture efficiently, making the process seamless for event organisers. This experience and expertise really does have a huge amount of value.
Our London hub’s proximity to the BDC ensures that we can respond promptly to any last-minute requirements or changes, offering peace of mind to clients. Whether you’re planning a multi-day exhibition, a high-profile conference or a smaller-scale seminar, our comprehensive range of business event furniture can enhance the ambience and functionality of your event.
To sum up, therefore, The Business Design Centre London UK is more than just a venue; it’s a distinguished space that combines historic architecture with modern conveniences, perfect for any business event. From large trade shows and exhibitions to intimate seminars and networking functions, the BDC offers unparalleled flexibility and support.
And, with this in mind, we’re proud to count on the BDC venue as one of London’s event venues that we supply on a regular basis with table and chair hire London, furniture hire London, catering equipment hire London and much more, offering our one-stop shop at great prices, helping our clients to bring in their event on or below budget.
So, the next time you are organising a business event at London’s Business Design Centre, don’t hesitate to browse our range of event equipment hire online right here at Event Hire UK and place your secure order, safe in the knowledge that you are putting your faith in the hands of the experts.
