Business

What are the venue hire costs and what's included in the base price?

Venue hire ranges from £2,000-£3,000 excluding VAT depending on timing and duration. The 5:30pm-11pm slot costs £2,400 excluding VAT, while daytime rates start from £2,000 excluding VAT. This includes exclusive use of your hired space and basic venue facilities, but catering, AV equipment, and staff meals are additional costs.

What are the mandatory additional costs I need to budget for?

Hall staff meals are mandatory when hiring the venue - up to 5 staff require meals at £35 excluding VAT per person for junior staff or £48 excluding VAT per person for senior staff. All catering must be provided by exclusive caterer Searcys, and AV equipment must be sourced from their recommended external supplier as none is kept on-site.

What are the capacity limits for different event formats?

The Great Hall accommodates up to 150 guests for conferences in theatre-style seating. For seated dining events, capacity varies but quotes show events for 70-120 guests comfortably. The Front Rooms can be used in combination with the Great Hall for larger networking events and pre-dinner receptions.

What catering options and pricing should I expect?

All catering is exclusively provided by Searcys with no external caterers permitted. Day delegate rates start from £95-£102 per person excluding VAT including refreshments and lunch. Three-course seated meals cost £79-£81 per person excluding VAT, while drinks packages range from £36-£48 per person excluding VAT for wine and soft drinks.

How does the booking process work and what are the payment terms?

Quotes are valid for 2 weeks and a provisional hold can be placed for 1 week. Booking is confirmed only upon receiving a signed agreement and hall application. Standard terms and conditions apply, and substitutions or adjustments may be required for unforeseen events with advance communication.

What AV equipment is available and how much does it cost?

No AV equipment is kept on-site, so all requirements must be outsourced to their recommended external supplier. Basic AV packages including projector, screens, and microphones typically cost £400-£480 excluding VAT. More complex setups with multiple screens and technician support are available at higher rates.

What are the venue's operating hours and access arrangements?

Events typically run from 5:30pm-11pm for evening functions, with daytime events accommodated from 9am-5pm. Setup access can be arranged from 4:30pm for evening events. The venue offers flexible timing arrangements, with some events quoted for extended hours until midnight.

Are there any restrictions on suppliers or event requirements?

External caterers are strictly prohibited - all food and beverage must be provided by exclusive caterer Searcys. AV equipment must be sourced from their recommended supplier. The venue has specific availability constraints, with many dates already booked, so early enquiry is essential for securing preferred dates.

What spaces are available and how can they be configured?

The Great Hall features stained-glass windows, five chandeliers, and a musicians' gallery, suitable for grand gatherings and presentations. The Front Rooms can be used for pre-dinner drinks receptions and combined with other spaces for larger events. A Courtyard is available for outdoor summer events and BBQ packages.

What pricing should I expect for different types of corporate events?

Day conferences cost approximately £95-£102 per person excluding VAT for delegate packages. Evening receptions with canapés and drinks range from £95-£114 per person excluding VAT. Christmas packages cost £120-£150 per person excluding VAT including festive menu and drinks, plus venue hire of £2,400 excluding VAT.