The Monastery selected as best in North West and wins prestigious national industry award

The Monastery, Manchester achieved a Silver Award in the Best UK Unusual Venue category at the 2011 Meetings & Incentive Travel Industry Awards.

As the only venue in the North of England and the only Manchester-based finalist across all 19 categories, The Monastery represented the very best that the city and region have to offer in a category made up by The Natural History Museum, London, Alton Towers Resort and Altitude 360, London.

The result was announced at the Gala Presentation Dinner on 28th February 2011 in London which was attended by almost 1,000 industry professionals. The M&IT Industry Awards are the result of voting by the readers of Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine. As the oldest established awards programme in the meetings industry, to be selected as a finalist is a true recognition and reward of excellence, while being given a Silver Award is a significant achievement for a relative newcomer.

Since 2008, The Monastery in Gorton, East Manchester, has been used as a corporate, cultural and community venue and is also becoming a favorite with wedding couples. The magnificent gothic building was rescued from ruin by a charity formed in 1997 to raise the funds needed to restore the former Franciscan Church & Friary from dereliction.

With its history and peaceful atmosphere, the Monastery offers something truly unique to corporate meetings clients. There are rooms for groups of all sizes within the Friary, alongside the elegant architecture of the church. It offers a quiet haven within the city, where delegates can focus and get the most out of their time together. During breaks they are free to experience the calm of the Friary garden, or to explore the awe-inspiring space within the church.

Elaine Griffiths, chief executive of The Monastery said: "We are naturally delighted that The Monastery continues to be recognized by its peers and its clients as a breathtaking venue for a wide variety of events. We are thrilled to have won this award which represents still more recognition for The Monastery as a venue and for Manchester as a destination."

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