National Glass Centre, part of UniSpace Sunderland, re-opens this weekend following a large scale refurbishment and redevelopment project that has seen the exhibitions and events space double at the Centre.
One of the UK’s leading institutions for contemporary glass and ceramics, the Centre has seen major improvements made in the gallery, exhibition and learning spaces, improving the experience for delegates and enabling organisers to host much larger exhibitions and events.
As part of the redevelopment, 1879 Events Management, a subsidiary company of Sunderland Football Club, was awarded the contract to run National Glass Centre’s Brasserie which will include catering for conferences and events held at the venue. Both daytime and evening menus will be heavily influenced by local and regional fayre.
National Glass Centre has been closed to the public since February 2013 to make way for the £2.3 million worth of work. The significant investment was funded in part by the University of Sunderland as well as a number of arts and heritage funds. The investment also contributed towards the cost of new electric furnaces in the integrated Hot Glass Studio, which can be used for demonstrations and workshops during events held at the venue, improving the Centre’s environmental sustainability and significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Sharon Olver, Commercial Services Manager at UniSpace Sunderland, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled that National Glass Centre will be reopening this weekend, bigger and better than ever. The venue has always been iconic and truly unique, but with the improvements made in the exhibition spaces we look forward to being able to host larger events of national and international significance.
“Improvements have also been made in the glass studio and we will soon be announcing a complete list of packaged incentives that can be added to any event held at National Glass Centre, creating an unforgettable delegate experience – where else can you take home a piece of glass art that you have created yourself?!”
National Glass Centre will reopen on June 29th as part of the Festival of the North East, with a programme of new exhibitions, special events and family friendly activities.
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