Business

Dining

What is the pricing for dinner packages and what's included?

The dinner package costs £88.70+VAT per person (without alcohol) or £108.50+VAT per person (with alcohol). The alcohol package includes hire of both Council Room and Stephenson Room for pre-dinner drinks (18:30-23:00), 2 glasses of house wine for pre-drinks, 3-course set dinner menu with coffee and salted caramel truffles, half bottle of house wine with meal, and unlimited bottled water. The non-alcohol package includes only the Council Room for dinner with the same food offerings.

What are the capacity limits for dining events?

The Council Room accommodates a maximum of 80 guests for seated dinner. For events using both Council Room and Stephenson Room (interconnected spaces), the venue recommends a maximum of 50 guests total, though numbers above 30 can mingle between both rooms. All dinner packages require a minimum of 30 delegates.

What are the mandatory additional costs and optional upgrades?

Mandatory costs include VAT on all pricing. Optional upgrades include pre-dinner canapés at £12.50 per person (3 pieces), choice menu at £13.50 per person (maximum 3 choices per course), additional course/cheese course at £10.50 per person, and bar setup at £295 including 2 staff members. Late extensions cost £500 (11pm-midnight), £1,200 (11pm-1am), or £1,900 (11pm-2am).

What are the standard event timings and access hours?

Standard dinner events run from 18:30-23:00, which covers your total room access time including setup and breakdown. The venue asks that you ensure this timeframe is adequate for all your requirements. Show-round appointments are available Monday-Friday 9:30am-17:00pm, though site visits are currently limited due to building refurbishment.

What restrictions apply to decorations and entertainment?

The venue prohibits naked flames and smoke for decorations. They work with a range of entertainment suppliers and can provide personal recommendations. Non-alcoholic drinks can be arranged and charged on consumption basis if needed for religious or other requirements.

What is the booking process and availability requirements?

Bookings can be placed on a waitlist option if dates are being held by other clients. The venue requires confirmation of final numbers and specific requirements before finalizing quotes. Provisional holds can be arranged, and the venue will find alternative options if they cannot accommodate your specific date.

Are there minimum spend requirements for dinner events?

There is no minimum spend for dinner packages - you simply pay £88.70+VAT per person for the non-alcohol package or £108.50+VAT per person for the alcohol package. However, all packages are based on catering for a minimum of 30 delegates, so you cannot book for fewer than 30 people.

What dining room configurations and interconnected spaces are available?

The Council Room can be used standalone for dinner events up to 80 guests. For pre-dinner drinks, the interconnected Stephenson Room (maximum 30 standing reception) can be added. When using both rooms together, the venue recommends maximum 50 total guests, though numbers above 30 can move between the interconnected spaces during the event.