Cornwall’s new venue for business and social events launched itself for business last night (Tuesday).

The Pavilion Centre at the Royal Cornwall Showground was introduced to a range of representatives from the business community and public bodies throughout the county.

And the overwhelming opinion was that this was a conference and function centre that had arrived just in time to meet surging demand and to plug a gap in the county’s overall provision.

The new building can seat up to 300 people in its main conference hall.

It was announced at the launch that the first major booking for the centre, for 250 people, was for today (Wed) when solicitors Stephens and Scown will make use of the facilities.

Introducing the versatile centre to guests, Christopher Riddle, secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, said:

“The association wanted a quality product and we hope that has been achieved. A modern, bright environment was the key factor and the use of many natural and preferably local materials important.”

Delabole slate flooring is featured and De Lank granite from Bodmin is used for the striking bar counters.

The new Pavilion Centre replaces old wooden structures that were demolished at the end of the 2007 Royal Cornwall Show.

Costing £1.8million, the building has been constructed in less than a year and was in use in advance of and during the recent record breaking show at Wadebridge.

As well as the main hall, the centre offers a range of meeting rooms, commercial-standard kitchen, fully functioning bar, offices, reception area and exhibition space.

It is a very green building, making use of sustainable and recyclable materials and efficient heating and ventilation systems; it has been designed to provide state-of-the-art facilities while sitting comfortably in its rural setting.

It is a building with a ‘tardis’ effect, displaying one storey to the front and three to the rear, toilets and other facilities being in the subterranean level.

Christopher Riddle sees a bright future for the centre:

“We have a centre here which responds to and will build its success upon the business activity that is happening within Cornwall.

“The whole of the county is building a strong economic base from within its own resources and we can confidently expect to see many businesses choosing Cornwall as the location for their conferences, exhibitions, meetings and launches.

“We fully expect to play our part in that activity and to attract big social occasions to the centre, be they private parties, wedding receptions or other similar events.”

Graham Bradshaw of Kernow Entertainments was one of the guests and was excited about the new venue.

The Kernow Entertainments agency manages many of the acts that appear regularly at the Royal Cornwall Show and which are booked for events up and down the county.

He said:

“Many of the traditional venues such as hotels in centres such as Newquay are disappearing fast. Many have already been turned into flats.

“So the new Pavilion Centre is an ideal location where private and corporate functions that require live music of some kind can be accommodated.

“It’s just what’s needed and is going to be a major boost from all points of view.

“It’s a good location; very accessible.”

Mr Riddle introduced Lauren Menzies, the conference and banqueting manager for the centre. She can be contacted on 01208 893089 or email laurenmenzies@royalcornwall.co.uk.