THE Portland Spa Conference and Banqueting Centre has scored a coup with a booking from the Bank of England.

The bank's agent for central southern England will be accompanied by a member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee for the July event.

There will be a private evening dinner for invited guests, followed the next day by the presentation of the quarterly inflation report to some 200 business people.

The centre's managing director Andrew Coupe said: "It is a great accolade to have and a great endorsement of our facilities here."

The centre is one of the facilities to be built over the past two years in a £10 million pound project at the complex in the former Ministry of Defence research centre at Southwell. It also includes a swimming pool, fitness centre, state of the art theatre, lounge bars, apartments, restaurant and conference facilities. A four star hotel is due to open in November.

Recent events have included a wedding fair and a conference about green issues for businesses.

A catering show is also being lined up at the centre on October 21 and 22.

  • THE curtain is rising on entertainment at the Portland Spa.

The £10 million complex is booking a series of acts for its restaurant, theatre, lounge bar and suites in its conference facilities.

Directors aim to establish a venue to compete with the BIC in Bournemouth, Lighthouse in Poole, Pavilions in Plymouth and Octagon in Yeovil.

The aim to provide entertainment not available in the immediate area - such cabaret style dinners with music or fashion shows, comedians and productions.

It already has a jazz trio on Thursdays and a pianist in its restaurant on Fridays.

Mr Coupe said: "We want to offer a broad range and style of entertainment more discerning and different to what you would see nearby - not necessarily highbrow but there will be a whole range for different people."