THE newest and possibly quirkiest conference venue in Cheshire has held its first event before it has even opened to the public.

The Lion Salt Works, in Marston, welcomed a delegation from a European regeneration firm which has helped to make the historic restoration project a reality.

Manage+ made the most of the business facilities at Stove House Five during their visit to see first hand how their £270,000 investment has been spent.

The striking glass-fronted building of Stove House Five dates back to 1965.

It has been fully restored and houses a conference facility on the first floor with a café and visitors’ centre on the ground floor.

It will become the management centre of the heritage attraction when it opens to the public in April 2015.

Clr Stuart Parker, Cheshire West and Chester Council's executive member for culture and economy, said: “It was a privilege to welcome the Manage+ delegation as the first users of the fantastic conference facility at Stove House Five.

“The feedback from the group was very positive, and they were particularly impressed at the wonderful views from the centre over the whole Salt Works site.

“We hope the conference facility will become a major resource for businesses, community groups and other organisations to hold events and training.”

A European Union initiative, Manage+ supports the regeneration of former industrial and brownfield sites and has partners in the UK, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany.

It aims to develop sustainable and cost-effective models for the management of regeneration projects and ensures that the partners’ expertise is shared.