The HayesConference Centre is a group of buildings in Swanwick, UK which are used for conferences and other functions. The building which now houses the centre's reception and main social areas was built in the 1850s as a private residence and named Swanwick Hayes. Since 1910, however, it has taken up its current usage, apart from the Second World War years when it was a POW camp for German and Italian prisoners. It was the second camp to fail to hold the famous German escapee Franz von Werra. The escape tunnel can still be seen at the conference centre. The centre is one of the larger employers in the area, with some employees having been with the company for over 30 years. The company has a policy of using local suppliers wherever possible, especially for fresh food, and generally to be eco-friendly. It has a large photo voltaic installation on its roof, and electric vehicle charging points. The centre, which has had many additions to it since it opened, provides sleeping accommodation for up to 400 people in 274 rooms. Nearly all bedrooms have en-suite facilities, with most being doubles although there are also a number of family rooms. A few rooms have shared washing and toilet facilities, but these tend to be used only when the centre is full. There are two main dining rooms, although working lunches can also be provided in any of the meeting rooms. There are more than 30 rooms for meetings: the largest two hold 420 and 400 with two others holding 150 and 140, and there are many others for smaller groups or for break-out sessions. Modern audio visual equipment is provided as appropriate in all meeting rooms. Other facilities include a bar, small gift shop, five a side football pitches, a sports hall, a fitness room, a games room and a chapel with room for 350. The site has a high speed fibre connection to the internet, offering up to 1Gb by arrangement, and there is complete wi-fi coverage across all the buildings. Many of the clients using this estate are Christian groups and churches of all denominations, but clients include commercial organisations, local authorities, schools, charities and public bodies. The centre has been run by same organisation since 1910, with commercial bookings handled by First Conference Estate and for Christian groups by the Christian Conference Trust. In addition, the centre is home to the Swanwick writers' summer school. As well as providing locations the trust can help organise conferences at The Hayes, and its sister sites at High Leigh in Hoddesdon or Belsey Bridge near Bungay. The Midland Railway - Butterley and Chatsworth House are local tourist attractions. It is located just five miles from the M1 motorway and three miles from Alfreton railway station.
