Universities flock back to the Barbican for graduation ceremonies

Universities flock back to the Barbican for graduation ceremonies

Barbican Business Events has reported £1.5m worth of graduation business across 2021 and 2022 thanks to universities holding more graduation ceremonies after a period of postponements and cancellations due to the pandemic.

“Graduations are a core part of our commercial venue hire offer here at the Barbican, and we are delighted to be able to share this moment with them and their families, as they celebrate their success and hard work. The Barbican provides a unique venue and backdrop for this special occasion and it’s always great to see many of the graduates returning to the Barbican to enjoy our arts and learning programme.” comments Jackie Boughton, Head of Business Events & Commercial at the Barbican.

This success represents just one part of Barbican Business Events’ recovery strategy and growth following the pandemic. Other significant growth has been seen across weddings, photo shoots and training events, all catered by Searcys hospitality team, headed by Brian Martin.

Universities working with the Barbican include: University of Law, University of London City, University of London, The Open University, Ravensbourne College, Coventry University, Kings College London, London Metropolitan University, and St George’ University of London.

“This is a welcome return, not just to the normal graduation activity, but also a much needed income stream for us to invest back into our arts and learning programmes. Feedback from our clients at these universities has highlighted that they particularly appreciate our ability to deliver successful graduations, the unique location, good infrastructure and our focus on health and safety during the booking process,” concludes Jackie Boughton.

Barbican Lakeside Terrace Restaurants – Bonfire London by Searcys (Photographer: Max Colson)

Barbican Hall 

About Barbican Business Events

The Barbican provides a vibrant and inspiring venue for corporate and association events, conferences, meetings and entertainment in its fully equipped concert hall, theatres, conference suites and boardrooms.

To make the most of the Barbican’s rich culture and heritage, Barbican Business Events was created to bring together their expertise in three very different areas – the arts, creative learning and corporate business. This approach to corporate events is based on stronger, more in-depth partnerships with artistic, creative learning and development teams in order to bring more creativity and rich content to event.

The Barbican in Stats:

The arts centre building comprises:

• The Barbican Hall (1,943 seat concert hall)

• The Barbican Theatre (1,156 seat theatre)

• The Pit (164 seat studio theatre)

• Cinemas 1 (280 seat), 2 (153 seat) and 3 (153 seat)

• Barbican Art Gallery, and a second gallery The Curve

• Public Spaces

• A Library

• The Lakeside Terrace

• A Tropical Glasshouse Conservatory

• Event and conference facilities, including the Barbican Exhibition Halls on Beech Street

• Three Restaurants (including Osteria and Bonfire by Searcys)

• Car parks