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.

What spaces are available and what are their capacities?

Key spaces include Assembly Hall (main conference space for large events), Hoare Memorial Hall (catering and exhibition space), Harvey Goodwin Suite (up to 180 theatre style), Convocation Hall (100 theatre style), and various smaller rooms like Charter Room and College Room. The venue can accommodate up to 600 guests in a single space.

What are the standard AV packages and costs?

Assembly Hall AV package costs £4,794 ex VAT and includes 4K laser projector, large screens, sound system, microphones, lighting, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite AV is £2,796 ex VAT, and Convocation Hall AV is £1,830 ex VAT. All packages include WiFi access and professional technical support.

What are typical venue hire costs for different spaces?

Assembly Hall costs £8,580 ex VAT for day hire (08:30-17:00), Hoare Memorial Hall £5,460-£6,708 ex VAT depending on hours, Harvey Goodwin Suite £3,642 ex VAT, and Convocation Hall £2,760 ex VAT. Evening hire and extended hours incur additional charges.

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

The venue books up well in advance, with many dates already fully booked months ahead. Popular dates like September, October, and June fill up quickly. It's recommended to have flexible dates as first-choice dates are often unavailable.

What catering options and pricing are available?

Day Delegate Rates start from £59,400 for 500 guests (£49,500 ex VAT) including room hire, refreshments, and lunch. Individual catering items include breakfast, coffee breaks, and various lunch options. Drinks receptions start from £29.50 ex VAT per person. All catering is provided by in-house partner Searcys.

Can I use external suppliers or do I need to use venue-approved vendors?

The venue has an in-house catering partner (Searcys) and AV team. While the source material doesn't explicitly state restrictions on external suppliers, the venue appears to primarily work with their preferred partners for catering and technical services.

What are the setup and access arrangements?

Setup access can be arranged the evening prior to events, typically from 18:30-21:30 for an additional cost (£11,940 ex VAT mentioned for one event). Standard event access is from 08:30, with venues typically cleared by 17:00 for day events or later for evening functions.

Are there any restrictions on event types or special requirements?

The venue accommodates conferences, award ceremonies, Christmas parties, product launches, 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 is included in the Day Delegate Rate packages?

DDR packages include venue hire of multiple spaces, arrival refreshments, mid-morning and afternoon refreshments, and lunch options. For example, a 500-person DDR at £59,400 ex VAT includes Assembly Hall, Hoare Memorial Hall, Bishops Partridge Hall, and Harvey Goodwin Suite with full catering.