Business

What are the room hire rates for different spaces and time periods?

Room hire varies significantly by space and duration. For example, the Council Room costs £1,900 for a full day (07:00-17:30) or £950 for a half-day (07:00-13:00), while the Palmer Room is £1,700 full day or £850 half-day. The Great Hall costs £7,200 for 14:00-23:00, and the Telford Theatre is £6,000 for the same period. All rates exclude VAT and are based on minimum delegate numbers.

What are the capacity limits for different room layouts?

Capacities vary by room and setup: the Council Room holds 50 theatre style or 40 cabaret style, the Palmer Room accommodates 40 cabaret style, and the Smeaton Room fits 60 boardroom style or 100 theatre style. The Great Hall can hold 200 theatre style, while the Telford Theatre accommodates up to 238 theatre style with space for three wheelchairs.

What catering packages are available and what are the costs?

The Day Delegate Rate is £96 per person including room hire, all refreshment breaks, 2-course lunch, and basic AV equipment. Individual catering items include tea/coffee with biscuits at £4.10 per person per serving, sandwich lunch at £25 per person, and 2-course buffet from £39 per person. All catering rates exclude VAT and require minimum numbers.

What are the minimum catering requirements and delegate numbers?

Most packages require a minimum of 30-40 delegates for pricing to apply. For half-day sessions, tea, coffee, and biscuits must be ordered as minimum catering. Wedding events have a minimum of 100 guests, and dinner packages typically require minimum numbers of 10 for sandwich lunches and 30 for set dinner menus.

What audio-visual equipment is included and what are additional AV costs?

Basic AV varies by room - some include 65-inch or 86-inch LED screens, while the Telford Theatre includes comprehensive AV with technician, projection screen, PA system, microphones, and recording facilities. Additional items cost extra: LCD projector £135, handheld/lapel microphones £75 each, PA system £275, and technician services £500 for up to 10 hours.

What are the operating hours and late extension fees?

Standard operating hours vary by package, with many running 07:00-17:30 for conferences or 18:30-23:00 for dinners. Late extensions incur significant fees: 11pm-midnight costs £500-£550, 11pm-1am costs £1,200-£1,300, and 11pm-2am costs £1,900. Some events mention labor charges of £25 per table per half hour for service overruns.

Are there restrictions on decorations, entertainment, or activities?

The venue prohibits naked flames and smoke for safety reasons. Weddings are exclusively hosted on Saturdays and Sundays only. The building is currently under refurbishment, so site visits are limited. Show round appointments are available Monday-Friday 9:30am-17:00pm, but same-day visits are typically not accommodated.

What is the booking process and how do provisional holds work?

The venue offers provisional holds on dates while clients make decisions. Some rooms may only be available on a waitlist basis if already held by another client. Show rounds must be scheduled in advance during weekday business hours. The venue requires confirmation of event details like timings and attendee numbers before finalizing quotes.

What bar services are available and what do they cost?

Bar setup costs £295 per room and includes 2-3 staff members. Drinks packages include unlimited house wines, beers, and soft drinks: 1 hour £15 per person, 2 hours £22 per person, 2.5 hours £25.50 per person, 3 hours £29 per person. Individual bottles range from £22 for wines to £58 for champagne, with beers from £3.50-£4.00 per bottle.

Can the venue accommodate dietary restrictions and special requirements?

The venue offers choice menus for £13.50-£15 per person with maximum 3 choices per course. They can accommodate non-alcoholic events for religious reasons and provide non-alcoholic cocktails at £8.45 per litre. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible with guide dogs allowed, and has hard-wired interconnectivity between meeting rooms for technical requirements.