The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales has submitted plans to Newport City Council for an international convention centre.
The proposed convention centre, which is predicted to take two years to build, will have the capacity for 4,000 delegates, with 30,000sqm of event space over three floors including an exhibition hall and a main auditorium. If realised the project could create up to 150 jobs.
The application follows an announcement by the Welsh Assembly in autumn 2013 that it would support the development of an international convention centre for South Wales. The Assembly agreed to provide matched funding of around £500,000 for the initial design and planning stage and could potentially contribute to the estimated £40-60m construction costs.
The hotel has said that it ‘regularly’ has to turn away conference enquiries. At the time the proposal was announced, Sir Terry Matthews, owner of Celtic Manor, commented: "We’re in a position where we have to turn away business because we do not have the capacity to satisfy certain events. A convention centre will ensure that we attract significant new business to Wales. It will rival any convention facility in Europe and act as a magnet for major events, bringing huge benefits to the Welsh economy."
