Wild Wood conference firm expands after successful start-up

A MIDLAND conference centre is thriving following a surge in the number of businesses booking its facilities.

Wild Wood Rooms, a four-room meeting and conference venue set within Worcester Woods Country Park, has seen an unprecedented period of growth as the firm’s owner takes on more staff to cope with demand.

In the past 12 months, the Worcester business facility has bucked the economic trend by doubling turnover, seeing a 55% increase in customers and boosted the local economy by bringing two new apprentice jobs to the area.

Opened in 2010 after a £250,000 investment from owner Fay Hildred, the countryside venue hosts corporate meetings, training sessions and business conferences for between two and 40 people. Plans are also in place to offer short-term office rentals to the area’s small enterprises.

Mrs Hildred, 30, said she puts the firm’s success down to the team’s ‘attention to detail’ and their mission to provide a ‘first class service’ for every customer.

She said; “When we opened in 2010 the country was in the grips of the recession but after a large, risky investment I was determined to make Wild Wood Rooms a success and give the area’s conference market something different.

“I was also determined to go above what people expect of a meeting facility. So aside from superfast Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art technology, we also offer a full locally-sourced catering service, dedicated conference co-ordinators and flexible options to hire our facilities from only one hour up to a full day.

“These are the kind of services we have found are not only favoured by large firms, but some of our most regular clients are homeworkers who need a professional environment to hold meetings and impress clients”.

She said the feedback and demand from customers had been exceptional. The upturn had allowed the business to further invest in its facilities and expand its workforce.

Mrs Hildred, a qualified nurse who also runs first aid training courses, added; “Our success is also down to selling ourselves as an accessible, easy-access facility. We are in a beautiful countryside setting but also in easy reach of the city centre, motorway network and railway stations. That’s a big plus and in turn it’s also bringing people into the area and helping to showcase what Worcester has to offer.”

She is now targeting further growth and plans to expand the workforce even further.

“We’re backing ourselves to win and hopefully do well enough to open up similar facilities within Worcestershire and beyond in the years ahead,” she said.