Leeds venue takes £1million advance bookings

Royal Armouries (International) has launched the spectacular Saviles Hall in Leeds, part of a complex offering a hotel, casino, retail outlets and waterfront apartments.

Saviles Hall was always going to make the headlines with over £1 million taken in advance bookings in the first month and a monumental launch party set to beat all.

The new £5m venue was opened in spectacular style by Royal Armouries (International), with Leeds legend Sir Jimmy Savile, who arrived in a pink stretch limousine, much to the delight of over 700 guests including some of the cast of Emmerdale and a host of sporting stars.

Sir Jimmy was met by fire-spinners, stilt-walkers and acrobatic gymnasts as VIPs from the region's business and charity world marked the occasion.

The Board of Directors from Royal Armouries (International) decided that the Jim'll Fix It hero, who has raised more than £42m for charity, was the only person they could name the hall after.

Chairman of Royal Armouries (International) Chris O'Boyle said: "The 82-year-old who likes to be called 'Sir Jimmy' has remained loyal to Leeds all his life and the honour was only fitting, as a way of thanking him for his extraordinary efforts across the charity, sporting and socialite world he is famous for".

A souvenir poster, designed by Paul Watkins from the Design Room and Chris Owen, Marketing Director of Royal Armouries (International), and was commissioned to form a collage of Sir Jimmy's images that reflect his illustrious career.

It captures the pop icon's celebrity lifestyle including rare pictures of him with Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Pope John Paul II.

Jim Vincent, Managing Director of Royal Armouries (International), said: "It is tribute to the lifetime work of Sir Jimmy Savile OBE." More than 100 representatives of charities attended and were each given a framed souvenir poster.

Each charity, including the NSPCC, the Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust and McMillan Nurses, will auction off their gift at future charity events to raise cash for their just causes.

Saviles Hall is located on Armouries Square, opposite the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds at Clarence Dock and is the sole responsibility of Royal Armouries (International).

It took four years for the hall to come to fruition and is part of the million square foot Clarence Dock Development.

The complex offers on-site 24-hour secure parking for up to 1,650 vehicles, 130-bedroom hotel (with a further 650 within five minutes' walk), a casino, many exclusive retail and restaurant outlets and over 1,000 prestigious waterfront apartments.

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