Business

Film and Photo

What are the room hire rates and minimum booking requirements for business meetings and conferences?

Room rates vary by space: Max Rayne Auditorium (146 theatre style) costs £3,190 for a 4-hour hire, Dame Deirdre Hine room (36 classroom capacity) costs £990 per day, Marcus Beck Library (30 U-shape capacity) costs £900 per day, and Heritage Centre (17 boardroom capacity) costs £440 per day. Weekend hires require a minimum booking of £3,000 plus VAT. All prices are subject to VAT.

What are the catering minimum numbers and pricing for business events?

Minimum catering numbers are 90 people for auditorium events, 30 people for larger meeting rooms, and 15 people for smaller spaces like Dame Deirdre Hine room. Tea/coffee with biscuits costs £4.30 per person per serving, working lunch costs £26.25 per person, and working lunch packages (including 3 tea/coffee breaks) cost £38.85 per person. All catering prices are per person, per serving and subject to VAT.

What are the venue's operating hours and latest event finish times?

The venue operates during standard business hours with events typically running 08:00-17:00. Evening events are available from 6:30pm with service ending at 10pm to allow guests to wind down for departure. Events cannot run outside these hours, and any enquiries for times like 12am or 11pm are declined as they fall outside venue opening hours.

What AV equipment is included and what additional technology can be hired?

Max Rayne Auditorium includes projector, 2 handheld microphones, 2 lapel microphones, and lectern as standard. Other rooms include LCD screens. Additional equipment available for hire includes: laptops (£150), video conference kits (£90-included in some rooms), flipcharts with pens (£40), PA systems with 2 handheld mics (£250), AV technician support (£950), and hybrid packages (£1000-£3240 depending on duration).

Can external food and drink be brought into the venue?

No external food or drink is allowed into the venue. All catering must be provided by the venue's in-house catering team. This policy is strictly enforced and enquiries requesting to bring external catering are declined.

How long are quotes valid and what is the booking hold policy?

All quotes are valid for 5 days from the date issued. The venue does not automatically hold space when providing quotes - you must specifically request a temporary hold if you want the space reserved while you make your decision. Site visits can be arranged to check room suitability before booking.

Are there any special room restrictions or environmental controls?

The Heritage Centre has specific restrictions as it's a library space holding antique books - the temperature is controlled at a maximum of 20°C and cannot be altered to preserve the books. The room has ethernet ports available for equipment requiring wired connections. Other rooms have standard climate control.

What spaces are available for catering and networking during business events?

The Atrium is complimentary when hiring the Max Rayne Auditorium and can accommodate standing receptions. Max Rayne Foyer and ENT Room are also available for catering with auditorium hire. For drinks receptions, the Max Rayne Atrium has a maximum capacity for standing events with a minimum catering spend of £2,500 plus VAT.

What are the capacity limits for different room layouts in business spaces?

Max Rayne Auditorium seats 146 theatre style, Wheatley Room accommodates 72 cabaret/80 theatre/38 boardroom, Dame Deirdre Hine room fits 36 classroom/60 theatre/34 boardroom, Marcus Beck Library holds 30 in fixed U-shape, and Heritage Centre accommodates 17 boardroom style. Room layouts are generally fixed and cannot be altered.

Are there any restrictions on multi-day bookings or extended hire periods?

Multi-day bookings are available but subject to availability and venue policies. A 4-week training course request (Monday-Friday, 6 hours daily for 20 days total) was declined, suggesting there may be limitations on extended consecutive bookings. However, 13-day conference bookings (including weekends) have been accommodated, so each request is assessed individually.