Download our February Venue Circular as a PDF or read all news articles below (Mobile friendly option) - forthcoming news and events occurring at Venue 360.
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Jason And Jackie Celebrate 30 Years at Venue 360!
Huge congratulations to Jason and Jackie for reaching a remarkable milestone - 30 years of dedicated service at Venue 360!
While 30 years may sound like a long time, both Jason and Jackie are in disbelief at how quickly the years have flown by. They’ve been here since before the doors of Venue 360 officially opened in March 1995, and their journey has played an integral role in our venue’s success.
Jason was a university student when he first came on board, and Jackie had just come from working in local leisure. Together, they helped lay the foundation for the systems and equipment that set us up for success. Jackie has greeted guests with a warm “hello” and “goodbye” an estimated 400,000 times (imagine that!) since her first day with us.
When Jason finished his degree, he was asked if he’d be interested in staying on as our leisure supervisor. At the time, he thought it would be a “stop gap” until he found his true calling. Little did he know that three decades later, he would be here, still going strong and now proudly serving as our Deputy CEO!
Over the years, both Jason and Jackie have witnessed countless changes, improvements, and even some heartwarming moments, like seeing former leisure assistants, who started here as teenagers, returning to visit, now in their forties and with their own families and careers.
Venue 360 is proud of the positive, welcoming culture we’ve built, not only with our guests but also within our team. Jason and Jackie’s loyalty and dedication embody the true spirit of what makes this place special.
On behalf of all the staff and members at Venue 360, we extend our heartfelt thanks to both Jason and Jackie. Your hard work, warmth, and commitment to excellence are truly appreciated. Here’s to many more years together!
Let’s put them on the spot...
Jackie...
Q1. What is your favourite memory / best thing to happen in your 30 years here?
Fondest memory would be at the very beginning when we were all new and learning together and excited for the future. There was new people to meet and where we soon became the ‘in place’ for functions and weddings. I still have memories of the rebranding which was a similar experience that I enjoyed very much.
Q2. What has kept you working here at Venue 360 for so long?
In 30 years a lot can happen to a person good and bad and as you are at work for best part of it, it is very important to have the support around you and Venue 360 together with my colleagues certainly did for which I am extremely grateful.
Venue 360 is a unique place to work and it’s hard to describe what it is like to work here as a receptionist, you meet many people from all walks of life and you get to know some of them on a personal level and share their ups and downs and become friends.
So my answer to this question is my work family plus the members of Venue 360.
Jason...
Q1. What is your favourite memory / best thing to happen in your 30 years here?
Mine is a bit of a soppy one, but the best thing to happen during my 30 years here is meeting my better half Tracey, who ran the catering side of things with her mum Maggie in our first 12 years of opening here. I’m not sure Tracey will list it as her favourite memory after being married to me for nearly 25 years now.
Work related then there have been many great memories such as big Opel European football tournaments, having Stuart Pearce (as manager) and the England U21s train here, Open Days, being heavily involved with the rebranding…..
Q2. What has kept you working here at Venue 360 for so long?
Two things. No two days are ever the same, we have often said you could run a weekly fly on the wall documentary here. There is always something that crops up to challenge you (in a good way) that is different from previous. The working environment has always been excellent here and has played a huge part in its retention of not just Jackie and I. It does sound cheesy and cliché but there is this ‘work family’ feel where staff generally all get on extremely well and look out for each other. The members here also make working here very enjoyable and rewarding.
A Thriving Start to the Year for Hospitality
January flew by in a whirlwind of activity, marking one of the busiest starts to the year on record for the hospitality sector. February is shaping up to be just as eventful, kicking off in style with the Luton Irish Forum’s St. Brigid’s Day Afternoon Tea at Venue 360’s Riverside Suite.
Luton Irish Forum - St. Brigid’s Day Afternoon Tea
We were honored to host the Luton Irish Forum for their 9th annual St. Brigid’s Day Afternoon Tea, a celebration rich in tradition and community spirit.
This year’s theme, “Irish Women and Marriage,” set the stage for a memorable afternoon, opened by Deputy Ambassador Orla McBreen of the Irish Embassy London, whose speech resonated with the 270 attendees—primarily Irish women. Among the distinguished guests were Luton Mayor Cllr Tahmina Saleem and Rachel Hopkins MP, adding to the event’s prestige.
One of the highlights was a vintage fashion show, featuring exquisite dresses from the Luton Irish community, some of which were modeled by younger family members. Their poise and confidence were met with enthusiastic applause, and the stunning gowns—some dating back to the early 1960s—captivated the audience.
Plans are already underway for next year’s 10th anniversary event, where we hope they will choose to host it here at Venue 360 again!
Photography by Captured Moments By LSM Photography
Employee of the Month
This was a difficult decision this month. Having had a very successful Holiday period where all our staff worked incredibly hard there was reason to give almost everyone this title for February. However, one person had to be chosen, so with that we want to celebrate and thank Vanessa. You will recognise Vanessa if you frequent our Balcony Bar in the week, or on a Sunday. When everyone else was concentrating on Christmas parties and working to ensure our festive guests had a great time, Vanessa was there ensuring our regulars were looked after.
She stayed longer than she was scheduled to ensure the Balcony Bar was covered and helped when the inevitable seasonal flu hit some of our team members.
Thank you for going the extra mile Vanessa, and for always being on time, well-presented and welcoming to all our lovely guests. We all appreciate you.
Fitness Trainer Daniela Takes on the Hyrox Challenge in Bilbao!
This February, our very own fitness trainer, Daniela, will be heading to Bilbao to compete in the intense Hyrox fitness challenge. Known for its grueling combination of functional fitness and cardio, this event is not for the faint-hearted!
The challenge consists of eight 1km runs, each followed by a demanding fitness task. For example, after the first run, participants tackle a 1000m ski-erg before heading back out for another kilometre. Other tasks include rowing, a farmer’s walk, and burpee broad jumps, testing both strength and endurance.
Once all eight runs and challenges are completed, it’s a final sprint to the finish line for the best possible time!
We’re incredibly proud of Daniela and wish her the best of luck in Bilbao. Go, Dani! You’ve got this!
In other news...
We say goodbye to Michael
It is with sadness that we say goodbye to our Assistant Manager Michael. After working at Venue 360 for over 6 years Michael has decided it is now time for a change and has left us for pastures new. We wish him all the best for the future and hope to see him frequently for a coffee and catch up.
Good luck and all the best for the future Michael!
Zero Alcohol
Yes, we’ve seen the growing trend of coming to the bar, and having a pint with your friends without ruining your new year’s resolution of lowering your alcohol content! So we thought we’d encourage and support this by adding some zero alcohol options to our bar menu. You may have already seen our new draught beer…Heineken 0 added in December! We now have Guinness 0.0 in our fridge available to our non-alcohol drinking friends. No need to miss out on a pint with friends if you’re driving, you can now enjoy that refreshing pint, socialise, and still safely drive home.
New Forthcoming Events Page
There are some great party nights coming up soon at Venue 360. These are ticketed events by the organisers that have booked with us, so please contact them directly for tickets and don’t miss out.
Visit our new What’s On page on our website for all up and coming events
February Ski Erg Challenge
Are you ready to put your endurance to the test? With the arrival of our brand-new ski erg, we’re excited to announce this month’s challenge: How fast can you ski 200 metres on Level 10?
It’s easy to join in! Simply:
Press “Select Workout” on the Ski Erg
Choose “Single Distance”
Enter 200 metres and get ready to go!
Need help? Don’t hesitate to ask one of our instructors. They’ll be happy to check your technique to ensure you get the best results.
Are you up for the challenge? Let’s see who can post the fastest time!
Spin Studio Gets a Sound Upgrade!
We’re pleased to share that our spin studio now features a brand-new stereo system! With powerful 100-watt speakers, the improved sound quality has taken our classes to the next level, and the feedback from members has been fantastic.
If you haven’t tried a spin class yet, now’s the perfect time! Classes are for all ages and fitness levels and our instructors will help you set up your bike and ease you in at a comfortable pace to get you started.
Come along and experience the energy, great music, and a workout like no other!
Exercise of the Month: Abs Wheel Rollout
This month’s featured exercise is the Abs Wheel Rollout - a powerful move to target your core, offering a great alternative to traditional sit-ups and crunches.
If you’d like to give it a try, just ask one of our team members for a demonstration.
Here’s how to perform the Abs Wheel Rollout:
Start Position: Begin on your knees on a mat, holding the wheel with your arms stretched out vertically.
Roll Forward: Keeping your arms straight, slowly roll forward using your core muscles to control the movement.
Extended Position: Roll out until your arms are fully extended, finishing in a child’s pose position with your knees on the mat.
Return to Start: Engage your core to pull back up, keeping your arms straight, and return to the starting position.
Give it a try and feel the difference in your core strength!
Unleash Your Inner Warrior with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
Are you ready to challenge yourself, learn new skills, and get in the best shape of your life? We are thrilled to announce that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes are now available at Venue 360! Led by an experienced black belt instructor, these classes are perfect for anyone looking to embrace the art of self-defence, improve fitness, or embark on a new journey of personal growth.
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
BJJ is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground techniques. Known for its effectiveness in self-defence and competitive sport, BJJ teaches you how to control an opponent using technique, leverage, and strategy—making it accessible to people of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels.
The classes are designed for everyone—from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. Whether your goal is to learn self-defence, gain confidence, or simply try something new.
Meet Your Instructor
Our instructor Emil Wajerowicz, is a black belt under legendary 10 time world champion Roger Gracie. Emil has years of experience both practicing and teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Passionate about sharing this transformative martial art, he brings expertise, patience, and an approachable teaching style to every class.
Class Schedule and Details
Days: Wednesdays and Fridays
Times: 6.15 pm - Kids, 7.15 pm - Adults
Who Can Join: Adults and children (ages 6+), all fitness levels
What to Bring: Comfortable workout attire (gi not required for beginners)
Try Your First Class Free!
Sign Up Today! Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to get started. For more information or to register, please call 07462 009 008.
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