7 Inspirational Christmas Party venues that give back to your community

Christmas! The time of goodwill and giving. It's also the time of a good old fashioned Christmas office party to thank your team for all their hard work. But, what if all the money you spend on treating your awesome employees to a great night out, could work a bit harder and also support your local community? And, what if we said, the venue could well be one of the most inspirational ones you have ever used (thus impressing your team even further!)? Surely it's a no-brainer, win-win kind of situation?

We've worked with many awesome social enterprise venues up and down the UK, and here is our pick of 10 Inspirational, Social Enterprise Venues for Christmas parties in London (in no particular order! They're all awesome!)

1. The Westminster Boating Base

With riverside views which are hard to rival, the Westminster Boating base, is one of our favourite social enterprise venues. Given it's location, we have used it several times now to host Charity Bike Builds for the local West London Action for Children Charity.

2 .The Barge House at Coin Street

Situated next to the Thames, in the heart of the OXO Tower Wharf and with beautiful exposed brick work, is The Barge House at Coin Street, offering an urban venue in a fantastic location. The Barge House is part of the Coin Street Community Builders Social Enterprise, whose aim is to make the neighbourhood a great place to live, work in, and visit. All profits are ploughed back into supporting the local community.

3. The Brigade in Borough Market

From private dining to a more informal party, the Brigade is a great choice if you're looking for a fantastic meal. Based in Borough, it's very central and its home is the old Borough Fire Brigade station, so you can expect an architecturally impressive venue. We've held several Charity Bike Build events here, followed by a meal, and thoroughly recommend it! The Brigade is a social enterprise which provides chef apprenticeship opportunities to homeless people.

4. The Old Church

The only surviving Elizabethan Church in London! Based in Stoke Newington, it offers a unique and atmospheric venue for up to 100 people. The venue's mission as a 'not for profit' company, is to inspire both arts and the local community through various projects, a mission which is in keeping with its beautiful building and rich history.

5. The Bridewell Theatre Bar at the St. Bride Foundation

Near Fleet Street, the central venue also allows you the opportunity to combine a party here with a little bit of theatre culture or comedy - check out the schedule here! Established in 1891, the St Bride Foundation provides a living and breathing community, with new projects, facilities and programmes expanding its central mission: to excite and inspire the community.

6. The Kings Cross Impact Hub

Converted from an old warehouse, this venue has plenty of charm, and being a stone's throw from Kings Cross, it offers a very central location. It's another Charity Bike Build favourite of ours too, as the space is very versatile. The Hub is a social enterprise which supports the networking of value-driven businesses and entrepreneurs, facilitating access to funding and growth of sustainable businesses.

7. The Ball Room at The Trampery

If you're looking for something trendy, the The Trampery, based in Old Street, with it's impressive floor and 12-metre long art installation by acclaimed London designers, Bad Marriage, is a rather 'cool' venue to consider. The Trampery, a social enterprise, is a London-based specialist in workspace, housing and neighbourhoods for creative businesses and entrepreneurs. Since its inception eight years ago, The Trampery has launched eight acclaimed shared workspaces and sector-focused facilities across London. They are currently building on these past successes and they make a strategic shift towards broader “innovation neighbourhoods” combining housing, workspace and lifestyle facilities. Construction on the first such neighbourhood is currently underway at Fish Island Village, a six-acre site in Hackney Wick due to open in 2019.

So, that's an inspiring venue taken care of! If you also need inspiration for what to do at your Christmas Party, and really like the idea of 'giving back', you should check out the #giftabike Charity Bike Build Christmas Parties!