Pera, in Nottingham Road, which can cater for up to 500 delegates, has added 14 meeting rooms, a business centre and space for networking, buffets and exhibition stands to its existing facilities.

All the rooms have been named after entrepreneurs and innovators, from Gallileo to Gates and Watt to Dyson, and come equipped with either LCD projectors or plasma screens and internet connections.

And the new area can in itself accommodate smaller conferences for up to 120 people, broadening Pera's appeal.

Work is now starting on moving the car parking closer to the main building and improving pedestrian walkways, lighting and disabled access.

The first client to use the revamped centre for a week-long conference was Boots.

Conference and events manager Rachel Spencer said: "The additional facilities have given us even greater flexibility so we can meet every client's needs to the letter. For example Boots were able to set up a market place and we can switch the layout of a room over from theatre style seating to a board room in minutes."