Business

Film and Photo

What are the exact room hire costs for business meetings and how long can I book for?

Room hire rates vary by space size and duration. The Waldo Williams 1 (16 guests boardroom) costs £595.00 VAT exempt for 09:00-17:00. The Ada Salter Suite 1-2 (22 guests cabaret) costs £850.00 VAT exempt for 09:00-17:00. The Marjorie Sykes room (28 boardroom) costs £975.00 VAT exempt for 08:30-17:00. All rates are VAT exempt and include complimentary water, dedicated screen/projector, Wi-Fi, and flip chart.

What catering packages are available and what are the exact costs?

Full day catering packages include: Premium package at £39.00 net per person (welcome tea/coffee/pastries, mid-morning tea/coffee/biscuits, working lunch, afternoon tea/coffee/cake, still and sparkling water). Alternative packages at £47.00 inc VAT per person (with deli buffet lunch) or £52.00 inc VAT per person (with hot finger food buffet lunch). All packages include welcome refreshments, mid-morning break, lunch, and afternoon refreshments.

Can I bring external catering or hire external caterers?

No, external catering is not allowed at Friends House. All food and beverages must be provided through their in-house catering services. They offer a wide variety of food and drink options through their catering menus.

What AV equipment is included and are there additional costs?

All meeting rooms include complimentary dedicated screen or projector, Wi-Fi access, and flip chart as standard with room hire. Some larger spaces like the Benjamin Lay Suite include projector, lectern, roving microphones, and PA system. No additional AV costs are mentioned for standard equipment included with room hire.

How far in advance do I need to confirm catering orders?

Final food orders must be confirmed with sufficient notice - one example shows final food orders needed 8 days before the event date. For short-notice bookings, catering confirmation deadlines may be tighter, so early confirmation is recommended.

What is the booking process and how do I secure a room?

Rooms are not automatically held and remain available for others to book until confirmed. To secure a space, you must explicitly request to hold the room in the diary. New customers need to complete and return a new customer form as part of the booking process.

Are there minimum guest numbers or budget requirements for bookings?

Some spaces have minimum requirements - The Light Auditorium requires a minimum of 110 people and is only available on a full day basis. Budget requirements vary by space, with some enquiries declined when budgets don't meet venue minimums (one customer's £100-200 budget was declined as insufficient).

What room layouts and capacities are available for business meetings?

Available layouts include boardroom (Waldo Williams 1: 16 guests, Marjorie Sykes: 28 guests), cabaret style (Ada Salter Suite: 22 guests, Benjamin Lay Suite: 70 guests), and theatre style (Benjamin Lay Suite: 154 guests, Light Auditorium: up to 1,000 guests). The Benjamin Lay Suite also includes breakout space for 80 theatre or 42 cabaret.

Do you offer charity rates and what documentation is required?

Yes, charity rates are available for eligible organizations. The Benjamin Lay Suite charity rate is £3,750.00 (08:00-17:00) VAT exempt, compared to standard commercial rates. Organizations must provide appropriate documentation to qualify for charity pricing.

What are the standard operating hours and can I book outside these times?

Standard venue access is typically 08:00/08:30 to 17:00/19:00 depending on the space. Meeting spaces are available from 9am-5pm as standard. Extended hours may be possible but specific arrangements and additional costs would need to be discussed with the events team.