Finalists in the Mr World contest held at the Kent Event Centre, Detling, in November, pictured with host Myleene Klass

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent Event Centre, which hosted the first Mr World contest in the UK for eight years, has seen an upswing in business.

During a week in which the Hop Farm Country Park at Paddock Wood revealed it was in financial trouble and shutting its gates to the public, the Detling complex reported that bookings for events, conferences and exhibitions were well up on this time a year ago.

Manager Alison Wallington said the Mr World contest last November was "a huge coup for us".

Julia Morley, Mr World chairman and chief executive officer, said: "We chose the Kent Event Centre because we loved the huge amount of space available, enabling us to stage indoor and outdoor activities all on one site. Alison and her team also impressed us with their fantastic can-do attitude and professionalism."

While repeat bookings underpin the 2013 calendar, several new events are being launched at the County Show venue.

Ms Wallington said businesses and event organisers were demanding choice, flexibility and value for money.

"We will host over 60 public events this year plus a range of conferences, training courses and meetings. While there continues to be pressure on budgets, organisers place a high priority on getting value for money and that's where we score heavily.

"No other venue can offer the flexibility to cater for such a diverse variety of functions. From large-scale Asian weddings to property auctions, from baby and toddler shows to Christmas parties, we really can provide whatever the customer wants."

Kent County Agricultural Society, which owns the 200-acre showground, has injected around £1million into the 1,700 sq m Clive Emson Conference Centre, and plans for a £4 million revamp of the Kent Pavilion are in the pipeline. The site offers parking for 30,000 vehicles.