Business Design Centre

The Business Design Centre is a Grade II listed building located between Upper Street and Liverpool Road in the district of Islington in London, England.

[citation needed] It hosted the Royal Tournament from its inauguration in 1880 until the event became too large for the venue and moved to Olympia in the early years of the 20th century.

The Islington Gazette reported: "A bicycle contest was commenced at the Agricultural Hall, on Monday last, for which £150 is offered in prizes for a six days' competition, the money to be allocated thus: £100 for the first man, £25 for the second, £15 for the third, and £10 for the fourth.

[citation needed] The centre was owned by the Morris Family[6] until October 2024, when the venue was acquired by ExCeL London and now forms part of the wider Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

Islington Local History Centre holds the archive of the Royal Agricultural Hall Company Limited, which contains deeds and maintenance records, correspondence, ledgers, cash books, letting agreements and exhibition programmes.

The Royal Agricultural Hall in 1861, seen from Liverpool Road, which is now the rear entrance to the Business Design Centre.
A cattle show at the Royal Agricultural Hall in 1861.
Stained glass
The Business Design Centre's restaurant
Bust of Sam Morris , founder of the Business Design Centre