Durham trio rethink corporate away days

Three Durham organisations have joined forces to put wellbeing and new experiences at the heart of corporate away days.

Radisson Blu Durham has partnered with movement studio ŌNDA Pilates and Durham Cathedral to offer businesses a new approach to meetings and events, combining traditional conference facilities with activities across the city.

Companies booking meetings, conferences or team days at the hotel can add a guided tour and Tower Climb at Durham Cathedral, a riverside walk along the Wear or an on-site movement class delivered by ŌNDA Pilates.

The classes are designed to be accessible to all fitness levels and provide delegates with a break from meetings during the working day.

Kayleigh Letman, founder of ŌNDA Pilates, said: “At ŌNDA, we’re passionate about making movement feel accessible, enjoyable and genuinely beneficial to everyday life. 

“For many people, a corporate away day can mean spending even more time sitting down, so we loved the idea of working with Radisson Blu Durham to offer something that breaks up the traditional meeting format. 

“Even a short Pilates or mobility session can give people an opportunity to reset, move and reconnect before heading back into the rest of their day. 

“Being a Durham business ourselves, it’s also really exciting to collaborate with other organisations in the city and showcase what Durham can offer businesses looking for something beyond the traditional corporate experience.”

Radisson Blu Durham says the partnerships reflect changing expectations around corporate events, with businesses increasingly looking to incorporate wellbeing and opportunities to recharge alongside traditional meeting agendas.

The hotel has also introduced a Brain Boosting Lunch Menu aimed at helping delegates maintain focus throughout the afternoon.

Wendy Bryant, director of groups, meetings and events at Radisson Blu Durham, added: “We’re seeing it across almost every booking now. 

“Clients don't just want a room and a projector any more. 

“They want their people to leave feeling better than when they arrived, whether that’s through movement, fresh air or simply a proper break in the middle of the day. 

“Wellbeing has gone from a nice-to-have to a key factor.”

The hotel’s expanded corporate offer extends beyond Durham city centre through a separate partnership with Raby Castle.

The new Back to Nature Team Building Experience includes exclusive use of an event space at the estate, a grazing lunch featuring produce sourced from Raby Estate and a choice of clay pigeon shooting or a deer safari.

Wendy added: “It's a genuinely different proposition for the region. 

“You get the reliability of a five-star hotel with proper facilities, and then a completely different environment for the team-building element itself. 

“Clay pigeon shooting or a deer safari isn’t something most away days offer, and it gives people something to talk about long after the debrief.”

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