ACCOMMODATION

The University of Manchester’s conference centre (Chancellors) has 71 recently refurbished bedrooms. Standard rooms, suitable for single or double occupancy, are ensuite with complimentary internet access, LCD TV, Freeview, radio alarm clock, direct dial telephone, and tea and coffee making facilities. Four rooms are suitable for disabled guests, wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility. The hotel also has full wheelchair access throughout. Landscaped gardens are perfect for a stroll or one can enjoy quiet a drink on the terrace. On a dry day you can also enjoy croquet on the lawn and giant chess.

The west wing of the building was once the Firs House, built by Edward Walters for Sir Joseph Whitworth in 1850. Whitworth used the Firs mainly as a social, political and business base, entertaining radicals such as John Bright, Richard Cobden, William Forster and T H Huxley at the time of the Reform Bill of 1867. Whitworth supported the new Mechanics Institute in Manchester also helping to found the Manchester School of Design. In 1882, the Firs was leased to C P Scott, Editor of the Manchester Guardian. After Scott's death the house became the property of Owen's College. Consequently, the Firs became the Vice-chancellors residence until 1991. In 1997 the residence was converted and opened its doors to the public as Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre.

The main circular Flowers Theatre is where conference sessions will be held. This has controllable lighting, excellent acoustics and a quality presentation unit which provides presenters with the means to control the in-built audio-visual equipment. Exhibition space is available in the foyers outside of the lecture theatre. Entries for the various SOC competitions will be available and exhibition space for delegate materials is also available. Coffee and tea breaks will be held at the back of the Flowers Theatre.

Breakfast, buffet lunch and evening meal will be in the Carriage Restaurant with its floor to ceiling doors leading on to the hotel’s courtyard.