Business

Dining

Events

What are the venue hire costs and minimum spend requirements?

Venue hire varies by space and day, with the Assembly Hall costing £8,580 ex VAT for a full day (8:30am-5pm). Weekend bookings have minimum venue hire of £8,000 ex VAT. There's a minimum catering spend of £69.50 per person for 250 minimum guests (£17,375 total), though some quotes show £41.50-£43.50 per person minimums. All prices exclude 20% VAT.

What spaces are available and what are their capacities?

The Assembly Hall accommodates up to 600 guests and serves as the main event space. Additional spaces include Hoare Memorial Hall for catering and drinks receptions, Bishops Partridge Hall for overflow catering, Harvey Goodwin Suite (180 theatre style), Convocation Hall (100 theatre), and smaller rooms like Charter Room and College Room for meetings or green rooms.

What AV equipment is included and what does it cost?

Standard AV packages start from £4,794 ex VAT for the Assembly Hall, including 4K laser projector, 5.6m x 3.15m screen, 8-speaker sound system, microphones, stage lighting, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite AV costs £2,796 ex VAT, and Convocation Hall AV costs £1,830 ex VAT. Weekend bookings incur an extra £500 per AV package.

What are the standard operating hours and setup access?

Standard event hours are 8:30am-5pm for daytime events, with evening events extending to 6pm-7pm for drinks receptions. Setup access the evening prior is available from 6:30pm-9:30pm for an additional £11,940 ex VAT, with the venue to be cleared by 10pm.

How far in advance do I need to book and what dates are typically unavailable?

The venue books well in advance, with many dates already fully booked 8-12 months ahead. Popular dates like September, October, and June fill up quickly. If your preferred date is unavailable, the venue will ask about flexibility and suggest alternative dates.

What catering options are available and who provides them?

Catering is provided by Searcys with various options including Day Delegate Rates from £59.50-£65.50 per person, hot fork buffets from £52 per person, and drinks receptions from £29.50 per person. Traditional afternoon tea and breakfast options are available. All catering prices are exclusive of VAT.

Can I use external suppliers or am I restricted to in-house services?

The venue has preferred suppliers for catering (Searcys) and AV services, but the source material doesn't specify restrictions on external suppliers. A colleague named Ben handles filming enquiries, suggesting some flexibility for specialized requirements.

What is the booking and payment process?

Initial proposals are provided based on requirements, followed by site visits if requested. The venue offers second option holds on dates while clients make decisions. Specific payment terms and deposit requirements are not detailed in the available information, but would be outlined in formal proposals.

Are there any restrictions on event types or special requirements?

The venue accommodates various event types including conferences, award ceremonies, boxing events, and filming. There are no specific restrictions mentioned, though weekend bookings have higher minimum spends. The venue appears flexible in accommodating different layouts and requirements.

What additional costs should I budget for beyond the basic package?

Beyond venue hire and catering minimums, budget for AV packages (£1,830-£4,794 ex VAT), potential setup evening costs (£11,940 ex VAT), weekend surcharges (£500 extra for AV), and 20% VAT on all services. Optional extras like gallery overflow speakers cost additional £420 ex VAT.