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 for 100 guests, and some spaces require minimum spends of £41.50 per person with 280 minimum guests.

Which spaces are available and what are their capacities?

Main spaces include Assembly Hall (main conference space), Hoare Memorial Hall (catering/exhibition space for 250 standing), Harvey Goodwin Suite (180 theatre/main conference space), Bishops Partridge Hall (150 standing), and Convocation Hall (100 theatre). Multiple rooms can be hired together, with DDR packages including Assembly Hall, Hoare Memorial Hall, Bishops Partridge Hall, and Harvey Goodwin Suite.

What are the standard AV packages and costs?

Assembly Hall AV package costs £3,995 ex VAT and includes 4K laser projector, large screens, sound system, microphones, lighting, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite AV is £2,330 ex VAT with projector, screen, sound system, and lighting. Convocation Hall AV is £1,525 ex VAT with 95" LED screen and basic audio setup.

What are the Day Delegate Rate (DDR) options and what's included?

DDR for 500 guests costs £49,500 ex VAT (£99 per person) including room hire of Assembly Hall, Hoare Memorial Hall, Bishops Partridge Hall & Harvey Goodwin Suite, arrival refreshments, mid-morning and afternoon refreshments, and two-choice standing fork buffet lunch. Minimum 330 guests required for this package.

What are the operating hours and setup requirements?

Standard event hours are 08:30-17:00, with some events extending to 18:00 or 19:00. Setup access the evening prior costs £11,940 ex VAT (18:30-21:30, cleared by 22:00). Weekend bookings incur additional charges, with AV packages adding an extra £500 per package for weekend events.

Are there any booking restrictions or busy periods?

The venue experiences high demand with frequent full bookings on specific dates. Multiple enquiries show unavailability on various dates including September, October, and June dates in 2025. Booking flexibility is often required, and the venue actively seeks alternative dates when preferred dates are unavailable.

What catering options are available and what are the costs?

Catering ranges from £41.50-£69.50 ex VAT per person depending on package. Options include arrival breakfast, mid-morning/afternoon refreshments, fork buffet lunch, and drinks receptions from £29.50 per person. Traditional afternoon tea and various breakfast options are available, with minimum guest numbers typically required.

Can the venue accommodate filming and special events?

Yes, the venue handles filming enquiries through a dedicated colleague (Ben) who manages all filming requests. The venue can accommodate various event types including boxing events, award ceremonies, conferences, and Christmas parties, with flexible room configurations and specialized AV setups available.

What is the booking and payment process?

Initial proposals are provided following enquiries, with site visits available for potential clients. The venue offers second option holds on dates while clients make decisions. Detailed proposals include room allocations, catering options, and AV requirements, with flexibility to adjust packages during planning stages.

Are there any additional costs or fees to consider?

All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT (20%). Additional costs may include weekend surcharges (£500 extra for AV packages), setup evening access (£11,940 ex VAT), and optional extras like gallery overflow speakers (£350-£420). Drinks receptions and extended hours incur separate charges beyond standard packages.