Business

What are the venue hire costs for business meetings and workshops?

The Council Room costs £1,650 (VAT exempt) for full day hire (8:30am-5:30pm) or £980 (VAT exempt) for half day hire (either 8:30am-1pm or 2pm-5:30pm). The Manufacturing Room costs £1,310 (VAT exempt) for full day hire or £870 (VAT exempt) for half day hire. Both rooms include space for catering and AV equipment inside the room.

What are the capacity limits for different room layouts?

The Council Room accommodates up to 24 guests in boardroom style, 30 in hollow square, 40 in cabaret style, or 60 in theatre style. The Manufacturing Room holds 30 guests in boardroom style, 40 in cabaret style, or 60 in theatre style. All layouts include space inside the room for catering needs.

What AV equipment is available and what does it cost?

Available AV includes: Full Hybrid package with 85" screen, HD camera, sound and microphones for £275; 85" screen and soundbar only for £165; Laptop for £66; Lectern for £22; Flipchart for £22 each. All AV prices are subject to VAT and include technical support from a specialized AV technician on the day.

What catering options are provided and can external food be brought in?

All catering is provided by Company of Cooks, their approved in-house supplier, with customizable packages and menus. Guests can go off-site for meals, but cannot bring external food back inside the venue. Day delegate rates start from £38.80 plus VAT per person and catering prices are subject to VAT.

What are the standard operating hours and can events run outside these times?

Standard venue hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm for full day hire, with half day options of 8:30am-1pm or 2pm-5:30pm. Time extensions beyond standard hours are available at additional cost, though specific extension rates are not specified in the available information.

How far in advance can bookings be made and what is the booking process?

The venue takes bookings up to 12 months ahead. The booking process involves initial enquiry, provisional holds on dates, venue viewings (available between 10am-4pm), and then formal contracting. Clients can book individual rooms or multiple rooms depending on their needs.

Are there any restrictions on room setup or equipment for workshops?

Third-party AV suppliers must schedule a site visit with an OBW technician to discuss setup requirements. They need to provide certification for current PLI and PAT testing for any equipment brought on-site and complete a risk assessment for the work. The venue provides technical support but external suppliers must use their own equipment.

What additional services are included with room hire?

Room hire includes natural light, space for catering inside the room, and access to approved catering suppliers. AV packages include technical support from specialized technicians on the day. The venue provides on-site event management support and can accommodate various seating arrangements within the same space.

Can multiple rooms be booked together for larger events?

Yes, multiple rooms can be booked together. For example, the Manufacturing Room and Whittle Room can be hired together for £1,335 (VAT exempt) for half day hire (8:30am-1pm). The venue offers flexibility to book just the main room initially or multiple rooms at the contracting stage.

What are the minimum spend requirements and budget considerations?

The venue has indicated they decline very last-minute and low-budget enquiries. Weekend hire has a minimum charge of £6,000 (VAT exempt) for 8 hours, though this applies mainly to weekend events rather than standard business meetings during weekdays.