Business

Dining

Events

What are the minimum venue hire costs and catering requirements?

Minimum venue hire is £8,000 ex VAT for weekend bookings. Catering has a minimum spend of £69.50 per person with a minimum of 250 guests (£17,375 total). For smaller events, there's a minimum catering spend of £2,500 ex VAT based on 100 guests minimum.

What spaces are available and what are their capacities?

The venue offers multiple spaces including the Assembly Hall (main conference space), Hoare Memorial Hall (catering and exhibition space), Bishops Partridge Hall (drinks reception up to 130 people), Harvey Goodwin Suite (breakout space for up to 180 theatre style), and Convocation Hall (100 theatre style). Spaces can be hired individually or combined for larger events.

What are the standard AV packages and costs?

AV packages start from £4,495 ex VAT. The Assembly Hall AV package (£3,995 ex VAT) includes 4K laser projector, large screens, sound system, microphones, lighting, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite AV is £2,330 ex VAT, and Convocation Hall AV is £1,525 ex VAT.

What are the typical event timings and access hours?

Standard event hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm for conferences. Evening events can run until 7:00pm or later with additional charges. 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 10:00pm.

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

Popular dates like September 23rd, October 21st, and June 26th are often fully booked well in advance. The venue operates on a first-come, first-served basis and will offer alternative dates if your preferred date is unavailable. It's recommended to have flexible dates when enquiring.

What catering options are available and what do they include?

Day Delegate Rate (DDR) packages are available from £59.50-£65.50 ex VAT per person, including room hire, arrival refreshments, mid-morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch. Alternative options include hot fork buffet at £52.00 ex VAT per person. Drinks receptions start from £29.50 ex VAT per person.

Can I bring my own catering or use external suppliers?

The venue works with Searcys as their catering partner and has minimum spend requirements that must be met. External catering arrangements are not mentioned in available information, so this would need to be discussed directly with the venue during the booking process.

What is the booking process and payment structure?

Initial enquiries are handled by the sales team who will check availability and provide detailed proposals. If your preferred date is unavailable, they will suggest alternatives. The venue requires proposals to be reviewed and confirmed, with specific payment terms and booking procedures detailed in individual proposals.

Are there any restrictions on event types or special requirements?

The venue accommodates various events including conferences, awards ceremonies, Christmas parties, and corporate events. Boxing events and filming enquiries are handled by specialist team members. The venue is fully accessible and has achieved carbon-neutral status.

What happens if my budget doesn't meet the venue's requirements?

If proposals exceed your budget (as seen with clients having £5,000-£6,000 budgets for events quoted much higher), the venue may suggest alternative configurations or dates. They will ask about budget flexibility, but there's no indication of significant discounts being available for standard bookings.