Radcliffe stands as one of the University’s premier conference venues, offering a boutique hotel experience designed to redefine expectations of what a conference centre and meeting space can be. At its heart lies the Radcliffe Lounge—a vibrant hub featuring a spacious bar, lounge, and flexible work and meeting areas for guests. After a decade of hosting thousands of delegates each week, the space was ready for a refresh to restore its modern appeal.

Due to the efforts of Conferences, Furniture & Interior Design team and the furniture supplier BOF, the University pioneered the use of the ‘Closing The Loop’ scheme, prioritising refurbishment over replacement. Existing furniture was expertly reupholstered and repaired using sustainable materials and processes, with only a few carefully selected new pieces added.

The result? A stylish, contemporary space that aligns with modern sustainability values—achieved while cutting costs by 68.5% and reducing carbon emissions by an impressive 75% compared to purchasing brand-new furnishings. This innovative approach has ensured Radcliffe remains a top-tier venue, seamlessly blending sophistication, functionality, and environmental responsibility.

Vicky Hill, Interior Design, Furniture & Equipment Manager, said "This was an exciting project for us to manage: the opportunity to revamp one of the University's signature conference venue spaces using our furniture supplier's 'Closing The Loop' scheme for the first time to re-work and reinvigorate existing furniture in a sustainable way whilst adding only a small number of key new pieces. The project proved highly successful by creating a smart and modern space whilst also being strategically on point and allowing for significant cost and carbon emission savings as well. We will be promoting this approach going forward and look forward to what we can achieve in other spaces."