If you’ve ever searched for a space to hire and wondered whether you need a conference room or a meeting room, here’s some honest advice from a team that has been renting out both for over 20 years at Leigh House in Pudsey, Leeds: there’s often far less difference than the names suggest.

The Honest Answer: It Depends on the Venue

There is no official rulebook that says what makes a room a “conference room” and what makes it a “meeting room”. Some venues use “conference room” for larger spaces, others for rooms with more technology, and some simply prefer the sound of it.

At Leigh House, the names have followed the building rather than any formal definition. We used to have both a meeting room and a conference room inside the main building. Over time, the conference room attracted less interest than the meeting room. Then we built a small glass extension in the grounds, which became our Wintergarden Meeting Room, and the boardroom-style room inside the main building took on the name Conference Room.

The room itself didn’t change. Only the label did. That’s a good reminder that the name on the door matters far less than what’s behind it.

Our Conference Room at Leigh House

Our Conference Room is set up boardroom style and seats up to 8 people comfortably. It’s inside the main building and has plenty of natural daylight, along with a blackout blind for when you need to use a projector.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Boardroom-style layout for up to 8 people
• Lots of natural daylight
• Blackout blind for projection
• Whiteboard and flip chart included
• Air conditioning and openable windows
• A private, quiet space that people find easy to work in
• Projector available to hire at an additional charge
• Refreshments available at an additional cost if you’d like them

You can hire the Conference Room for a half day or a full day. If you’re a virtual office or serviced office tenant, you can also book it by the hour when it’s available.

Who Uses the Conference Room?

The Conference Room is booked by our own tenants and by external clients. We’ve hosted care companies running training sessions, psychotherapists holding one-to-one sessions, and employers carrying out interviews.

That mix shows how flexible a boardroom-style room can be. The same space works for a group training day, a confidential conversation or a formal interview, because it’s private, quiet and comfortable.

Our Wintergarden Meeting Room

The Wintergarden Meeting Room is our newer space, a glass extension in the grounds of Leigh House. It’s thermally insulated, so it can be used comfortably in every season. It has glass sliding doors, large openable windows and rooflights, plus an automatic sliding roof awning to protect you from the sun.

The room overlooks the gardens and grounds, and it’s amazingly quiet. It suits groups of 4 to 6 people who want to collaborate, and it also works well for a one-to-one session.

Because it’s brand new, we haven’t had any bookings yet, so we won’t pretend to have a track record. What we can tell you is what it was built for: relaxed, focused meetings in a calm setting with plenty of light and a view of the garden.

Which One Should You Choose?

If you only need a small space for up to 10 people, consider both a meeting room and a conference room, wherever you’re booking. Don’t rule one out because of its name. Instead, ask yourself:

• How many people will be in the room, and how comfortably will they fit?
• Do you want a formal boardroom feel, or something more relaxed and collaborative?
• Do you need a projector, whiteboard or flip chart?
• Is natural light important to you?
• Will the room be private and quiet enough for your purpose?
• Do you need refreshments?

At Leigh House, a group of up to 8 who want a traditional boardroom layout will suit the Conference Room. A smaller group of 4 to 6, or a one-to-one, who want light, space and a garden view will suit the Wintergarden Meeting Room.

The Questions We Hear Most

After 20 years, the same questions come up again and again when people enquire about hiring a room:

• How big is it and how many people will it hold?
• Is there parking?
• Is there Wi-Fi?
• How much does it cost?
• Can refreshments be provided?

The parking answer is the one people are happiest to hear. We have on-site parking at Leigh House, with plenty of spaces and it’s free of charge.

What Really Matters When You Book a Room

Look past the label and focus on what the room offers. Size, light, privacy, comfort, equipment, parking and price will all affect how your meeting goes far more than whether the room is called a conference room or a meeting room.

Repeat Business Is the Best Compliment

The best part of what we do is seeing clients come back. One of our clients books a room on the first Tuesday of every month for their monthly meeting, and it’s great to be part of their routine. If you find a room that works for you, we’d love you to return and to tell others about us.

Book a Room at Leigh House

If you’re looking for a conference room or meeting room in Pudsey, Leeds, get in touch with the Leigh House team to check availability and discuss what you need. You can also read what our clients have said on our reviews page.