Corporate hospitality fit for a Queen at Holyrood Palace

THE Queen's official residence in Scotland is to branch out into the world of corporate hospitality in a pilot project for her palaces across Britain.

Companies and organisations will be able to host receptions and arrange for canapes and fork buffets to be laid on at Holyrood Palace for the first time under plans to be rolled out over the next few months.

The events will only be staged after the palace, one of Edinburgh's flagship visitor attractions, has closed to the public for the day.

However, palace officials insist anyone looking to hire out the historic mews courtyard and cafe areas for an event must book guided tours of the palace or its art gallery.

The venture means corporate guests, who will be treated to a champagne reception as part of the package, will become regular fixtures in the palace in the evening for the first time.

The move, being promoted in glossy new brochures promoting the Queen's Royal Collection and her palaces, is expected to provide a boost to the "luxury VIP" market and the city's business tourism industry.

Susanna Mann, business development manager at the Royal Collection, said: "We don't have anything like these kind of packages at any of the other Royal residences, such as Windsor Castle, Clarence House or Buckingham Palace.

"It's very much being trialed at Holyrood Palace.

"It's not really aimed at large groups, as such, as you can only have around 30 people on a tour, although it will be possible to organise staggered start times."

She added: "The main reason for introducing these packages is to raise the profile of the Royal Collection and that is why you have to book a tour of the palace or the latest exhibition in the gallery if you want to stage an event like this.

"The cost will really vary depending on whether whoever is booking simply wants a champagne reception, some canapes and or something more elaborate like a fork buffet.

"These kind of events have not been staged before at all, except by the Royal Family, although private tours have been possible to book, but it should mean there are regular events on in the palace at night now."

Sue Stuart, chief executive of the Edinburgh Convention Bureau, said: "Anything that adds to the portfolio of packages that we can offer to corporate groups is obviously very welcome and the exclusivity element of this is clearly part of the appeal.

"We're very much looking forward to working with the palace on this."

It is one of a number of facilities which will be opening up this year, with others including the refurbished Royal Museum building, which will be able to host gala dinners of up to 850 when it reopens in July, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, where a multi-million pound transformation is due for completion in November. Groups of up to 100 people will be accommodated inside Holyrood Palace per evening and their tours, accompanied by an expert historical guide, will include several areas out of bounds to normal groups.These will include the West Drawing Room, which is said to be one of the most beautiful in the palace, and famed for its ornate 17th century plasterwork ceilings.

The new packages have been created by the Royal Collection department.

HOLYROOD'S MIGHTY MENU

Corporate parties booking an event will have to sign up for a tour of the palace or its dedicated art gallery, which opened nine years ago.

They will be able to discover the origins of the 12th century abbey at Holyrood Road and learn how it has served as the principal residence of the Royal Family in Scotland since the 16th century.

A private tour of Holyrood Palace as part of a corporate package will offer the opportunity to sample the atmosphere in the West Drawing Room, which is used by members of the Royal Family as a private sitting room and is not normally open to daytime visitors.

The Queen's Gallery, which hosts exhibitions of work held in the vast Royal Collection, was created following the radical transformation of two 15th century buildings.

The Royal Collection is held in trust for the nation by the Queen as sovereign, and comprises paintings and drawings, furniture, porcelain, silver, sculpture, jewellery, books, and arms and armour.

Corporate groups must include a minimum of 25 guests, with the cost a basic 30 per head, plus the value of catering and drinks, which start at around the same price.

Catering at Holyrood Palace is provided by Charlton House, whose chief executive Robyn Jones was named one of the UK's top 10 most successful female entrepreneurs last month.