News

Thorns Group

01 Jul 2010

Thorns supports the ICC London launch event

Thorns Group – one of the UK’s leading independent suppliers of equipment and services to the events, exhibitions and conference sectors – was delighted to be a sponsor for the launch event of London’s new £165 million International Convention Centre (ICC).

As part of the sponsorship arrangement for the launch which took place on Thursday, June 24, Thorns supplied colourful soft furnishings, ultra-modern chairs and stools plus a wide range of additional products for VIP lounges, media centre, back-stage ‘Green Room’ and a theatre for the International Special Events Society.

The event, attended by 400 guests including Mayor of London Boris Johnson, was designed to showcase all the facilities at ICC London ExCel.

Clair Whitecross, Thorns’ Group Sales Director, said: “We were delighted to be one of the sponsors at this high-profile event. The opening of London’s first International Convention Centre is massively important to the UK’s events and exhibitions industry and is sure to generate business opportunities from organisations around the world. This venue heralds an exciting new era for our industry. I’m sure more people will be coming to London to host events here which will be a fantastic boost to tourism generally.”

With operations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, Thorns Group acts as a single-source supplier to the event, exhibitions and conference sector through its specialist divisions – Thorns Furniture and Catering Hire, Camden Exhibition Services and Classic Technical Services.

Thorns has more than a million items of furniture and equipment available for hire. Its vast stock includes chairs, tables, office furniture, china, cutlery, glassware, silverware, linen and bar furniture. The company has also built a reputation for providing bespoke furnishings to match any theme or corporate identity.

Thorns also offers a wide range of electrical and lighting services including plasma screens and is a supplier of customised furnishings to match any theme or corporate identity. The skills and expertise of the Thorns team can help transform clients’ ideas and concepts and turn them into reality.

Equipment is stored in temperature-controlled warehousing units, while its market-leading facilities also include state-of-the-art dishwashing and furniture cleaning facilities, as well as an eco-friendly paint shop complete with environmentally friendly water-wash spray booths. Other features include a workshop and upholstery shop.

The group covers assignments at many of the biggest venues in the UK – including London’s Earls Court and ExCeL, Birmingham’s NEC, Telford’s International Centre and Manchester Central – and at leading hotels across the country. It also acts as a leading supplier to a host of top sporting events including Royal Ascot, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, Henley Royal Regatta, Rugby Internationals at Twickenham and the British F1 Grand Prix.

While regularly providing equipment to the UK's largest hospitality events, Thorns is proud to remain a key supplier to many thousands of smaller-scale functions such as weddings, private parties and family celebrations. The group regularly provides state-of-the-art equipment for both contract and independent caterers.

With over 50 years’ experience in the industry, the market-leading group has expanded both organically and via acquisitions and has also managed to strengthen its staff by attracting many of the best people working in the events and exhibitions industries.

www.thorns.co.uk