Business

Events

Film and Photo

What are the room hire rates and what's included in the base price?

Room hire rates vary by space and duration. Examples include: Ada Salter Suite 1-2 at £850 for 9am-5pm access (up to 22 cabaret style), Waldo Williams 1 at £595 for 9am-5pm (up to 16 boardroom), and Marjorie Sykes room at £975 for 8:30am-5pm (up to 28 boardroom). All venue hire is VAT exempt and includes complimentary water on arrival, dedicated screen or projector, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and complimentary flip chart.

What are the catering options and pricing?

Full day catering packages are available at £47 per person (including welcome tea/coffee/pastries, mid-morning refreshments, deli buffet lunch, afternoon tea/coffee/cake, and still/sparkling water) or £52 per person (same as above but with hot finger food buffet lunch instead of deli). A premium full day package is available at £39 net per person including working lunch. External catering is not permitted.

What are the capacity limits for different room layouts?

Capacities vary by room and layout. Examples include: Ada Salter Suite accommodating up to 22 cabaret style, Waldo Williams 1 up to 16 boardroom, Marjorie Sykes room up to 28 boardroom, and Benjamin Lay Suite accommodating 70 cabaret or 154 theatre in the main room with an additional breakout space for 80 theatre or 42 cabaret. The Light Auditorium can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.

How far in advance do catering orders need to be confirmed?

Final food orders need to be confirmed with sufficient notice. For short-notice bookings, final food orders may need to be confirmed 8 days before the event date to ensure availability and proper preparation.

Are rooms held during the booking process?

Rooms are not automatically held during the enquiry process and remain available for others to book. You must specifically request to hold a room in the diary to secure it while finalizing your booking arrangements.

What budget range should I expect for room hire?

Room hire budgets vary significantly by space size and requirements. The venue has indicated that budgets of £100-£200 are insufficient for their spaces. Based on quoted examples, expect room hire to range from approximately £595 for smaller meeting rooms to £850+ for larger spaces, with premium suites like Benjamin Lay Suite at £3,750-£4,550 for full-day hire.

Does Friends House provide accommodation?

Friends House does not offer accommodation. If overnight stays are required for your event, you will need to arrange separate hotel bookings in the area.

What are the standard operating hours and access times?

Standard venue access is typically from 8:30am-5pm or 9am-5pm depending on the space. Some quotes show extended hours like 8am-7pm. Meeting spaces are generally available during daytime hours, and the venue can accommodate events from 9am-5pm as standard.

Are there any restrictions on the types of events that can be hosted?

Friends House does not provide dinner services and has indicated that certain types of events may not be suitable for their venue. The venue appears to focus on daytime meetings, conferences, and professional events rather than evening dining or entertainment events.

What AV equipment is included and what are the technical capabilities?

All rooms include a dedicated screen or projector as standard. Larger spaces like Benjamin Lay Suite include projector, lectern, roving microphones, PA system, and hybrid meeting capabilities. The Light Auditorium has its own entrance and reception area with full AV capabilities for up to 1,000 guests.