Business

Dining

Events

What are the minimum venue hire costs and catering requirements for business events?

There is a minimum venue hire of £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), though some quotes show minimum catering spend of £41.50 per person with 280 minimum guests. AV packages start from £4,495 ex VAT.

Which spaces are available for business meetings and what are their capacities?

Available spaces include the Assembly Hall (main conference space), Hoare Memorial Hall (catering/exhibition space), Harvey Goodwin Suite (up to 180 theatre style), Convocation Hall (100 theatre style), and smaller rooms like Abbey Room, Westminster Room, Herbert Baker Room, Charter Room, and College Room for breakouts or organiser offices. The Assembly Hall can accommodate up to 600 guests in a single space.

What AV equipment is included in standard packages and what are the costs?

Standard AV packages vary by room: Assembly Hall package (£4,794 ex VAT) includes 4K laser projector, large screens, 8-speaker sound system, microphones, laptops, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite package (£2,796 ex VAT) includes LCD projector, sound system, microphones, and lighting. Convocation Hall package (£1,830 ex VAT) includes 95" LED screen and basic audio setup.

What are the typical operating hours and setup access times?

Events typically run from 08:30 to 17:00 for day conferences. Setup access can be arranged the evening prior (18:30-21:30pm with venue cleared by 22:00pm) for an additional £11,940 ex VAT. Extended hours until 19:00 for drinks receptions incur additional charges.

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

The venue experiences high demand with frequent full bookings on specific dates. Popular dates like September 23rd, October 21st, and June 26th are often fully booked well in advance. Date flexibility is strongly recommended, and the venue actively asks clients if their dates are flexible when preferred dates are unavailable.

What catering options are available and what are the Day Delegate Rate packages?

Day Delegate Rate packages are available starting from £59.50-£65.50 ex VAT per person, including room hire, arrival refreshments, mid-morning and afternoon refreshments, and lunch. Hot fork buffet options start from £52.00 ex VAT per person. All catering is provided by Searcys using fresh, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.

Can I use external suppliers or do I need to use in-house services?

The venue has preferred suppliers including Searcys for catering and in-house AV teams. While the source material doesn't explicitly prohibit external suppliers, all quotes reference in-house services, suggesting a preference or requirement to use venue-approved suppliers for catering and AV services.

What spaces work best for different business event formats?

For conferences: Assembly Hall (main plenary) with Hoare Memorial Hall (catering/networking). For meetings with breakouts: Harvey Goodwin Suite (main space) with Abbey Room, Westminster Room, and Herbert Baker Room as breakouts. For smaller corporate training: Harvey Goodwin Suite or Convocation Hall work well as self-contained spaces with integrated AV.

Are there any restrictions on event types or special requirements for business events?

The venue accommodates various business events including conferences, corporate training, and meetings. Filming enquiries are handled by a separate specialist team member. The venue is fully accessible and has achieved carbon-neutral status, making it suitable for organizations with sustainability requirements.

What is the booking and payment process for business events?

Initial proposals are provided based on requirements, with site visits available for larger events. The venue uses a proposal-based system where detailed quotes are provided including venue hire, catering minimums, and AV packages. Specific payment terms and deposit requirements are not detailed in the available information.