Should Event Planners Look Beyond London for Better Value?

London has long been the UK’s go-to destination for conferences, exhibitions and corporate events. Its international transport links, iconic landmarks and vast selection of venues make it a natural choice.
But in recent years, sky-high venue hire rates, increasing staffing and production costs, and pressure on budgets have pushed many planners to rethink their location strategies.

Today, more organisations are discovering that holding events outside the capital delivers far better value—without sacrificing quality, capacity or convenience. Below, we explore why this trend is growing and which UK cities are stepping up with outstanding venues.

The Rising Cost of London Event Venues

Demand for space in London continues to outpace supply, especially for large conferences and exhibitions. Planners face:

• Venue hire fees that have risen 15–30% in the past two years

• Premium pricing on AV, catering and staffing

• High accommodation rates, especially mid-week

• Limited availability during peak seasons

For many organisations—especially associations, charities, training providers and regional businesses—these costs simply no longer make sense.

The Shift: Better Value Beyond the Capital

Cities across the UK have invested heavily in their event infrastructure. As a result, planners are finding:

• Significantly lower hire fees

• Modern, purpose-built conference centres

• Excellent transport connections (many under 2 hours from London)

• More flexible packages and negotiable rates

• Strong hotel availability at competitive prices

Here are some of the UK cities seeing increased demand.

Top UK Cities Offering Budget-Friendly Alternatives

🇬🇧 1. Birmingham – A Central, High-Capacity Hub

Birmingham has become one of the UK’s most popular London alternatives thanks to its central location and huge choice of venues.

Recommended Venues:

• ICC Birmingham (International Convention Centre)
  Ideal for major conferences, AGMs and exhibitions with multiple halls and breakout rooms.

• The Vox Conference Centre
  Modern facilities, great connectivity and flexible packages for corporate meetings and hybrid events.

• NEC Birmingham
  One of Europe’s largest exhibition destinations, perfect for large-scale trade shows.

🇬🇧 2. Manchester – Vibrant, Modern and Well Connected

Manchester combines metropolitan energy with excellent value compared to London.

Great options include:

• Manchester Central Convention Complex
  A landmark venue offering a huge main hall, conference suites and exhibition space.

• The Point / Emirates Old Trafford
  Versatile, contemporary event spaces with great AV and panoramic views.

• etc.venues Manchester
  Stylish, city-centre meeting and conference facilities.

🇬🇧 3. Leeds – Growing Reputation for Corporate Events

Leeds has become a favourite among organisations seeking strong facilities with competitive pricing.

Standout venues:

• Leeds Armouries Conference & Events Centre
  Multiple theatres, breakout rooms and exhibition areas attached to the Royal Armouries Museum.

• First Direct Arena (event spaces)
  Ideal for large conferences, product launches and awards ceremonies.

• The Queens Hotel
  A classic venue with elegant function rooms and great transport links.

🇬🇧 4. Liverpool – Excellent Waterfront Venues & Pricing

Liverpool offers character, value and world-class event infrastructure.

Key venues:

• ACC Liverpool
  A state-of-the-art conference centre located on the waterfront.

• Exhibition Centre Liverpool
  Ideal for trade shows and large-scale exhibitions.

• St George’s Hall
  Stunning historic interiors for gala dinners, conferences and ceremonies.

🇬🇧 5. Glasgow – Scotland’s Leading Event Destination

With competitive pricing and choice, Glasgow is becoming a strong alternative for national conferences.

Popular venues include:

• SEC Glasgow (Scottish Event Campus)
  Home to the iconic Armadillo and Hydro, offering flexible conference and exhibition spaces.

• Technology & Innovation Centre (TIC)
  Cutting-edge meeting and research-focused event spaces.

• Radisson Blu Glasgow
  Excellent corporate facilities in the city centre.

Will London Lose Its Event Crown?

London will always remain one of the world’s top event destinations—its prestige and appeal are undeniable. But with budgets under pressure, many planners now see regional UK cities as offering far stronger ROI.

For many events, moving outside the capital means:

• Lower venue costs

• Better availability

• More space

• Greater negotiating power

• Lower accommodation and travel costs

And with the quality and variety of venues available across the UK, there’s no real compromise.

Need Help Finding the Right Venue?

If you’re exploring alternatives to London or want to compare costs across the UK, Function Fixers can source the best venues for your budget—completely free of charge.

We’ll find options across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow and more, tailored to your event size, style and objectives.