Wembley Conference Centre

The Wembley Conference Centre stood in Wembley Park, London, from 1977 until it was demolished in 2006. Designed by R. Seifert and Partners for the British Electric Traction Company, it opened in January 1977 with a Grand Hall seating 2,500 people. The centre formed part of a larger development that included the Greenwich Rooms, Elvin House and the Wembley Exhibition Centre. Its arrival led to Wembley Hill station being renamed Wembley Complex in 1978, before reverting to Wembley Stadium in 1987. The venue hosted major events across music, sport and television. It staged the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest where the UK came second and the first Brit Awards that same year. The National Television Awards began there in 1995, presented by Eamonn Holmes. Sports included the World Cup Disco Dance Championships, the Benson & Hedges Masters snooker tournament and boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton. Cage Rage mixed martial arts events were held there between 2004 and 2006. The centre also appeared in popular culture. In 1979 it stood in for a conference centre on the planet Atlay in the BBC series Blake’s 7. Its entrance featured in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace and the climax of a The Professionals episode took place inside. After its demolition, a mixed-use development called Quadrant Court was built on the site.