Business

Dining

Events

What are the room hire costs and minimum spend requirements for different spaces?

Council Chamber costs £1,000-£1,200 + VAT (reduced from £1,700 + VAT), Dorchester Library costs £2,000-£2,700 + VAT (reduced from £2,700 + VAT), and there's a minimum spend requirement of £2,000 + VAT for most bookings. Some events require a 70-person minimum for dinner packages.

What are the catering package prices and what's included?

Three-course dinner with half bottle of wine costs £70-£89.40 + VAT per person. One-hour drinks reception (beer, wine, soft drinks and nibbles) costs £22-£26.40 + VAT per guest. Day delegate rates for conferences start from £84-£105.60 + VAT per person including room hire, catering space, three refreshment breaks, lunch, event manager, cloakroom, and Wi-Fi.

What are the capacity limits for different room configurations?

The Wolfson Theatre seats 300 in auditorium style, Dorchester Library accommodates 180 theatre-style or 96 for smaller events, and Council Chamber holds 100 theatre-style. The venue can handle events from 10 people in meeting rooms up to 350 for full venue hire.

What are the standard event timings and access arrangements?

Events typically run 9:00-17:00 for conferences with complimentary access from 7:00. Evening events usually start at 6:00pm. Earlier access from 5:00 is available at £250 + VAT per half hour, and overnight setup after 23:00 is subject to application and additional costs.

Are there restrictions on event content or types of gatherings?

The venue requires knowing the event topic to ensure it adheres to Royal College of Physicians values. Inflatables are not permitted in the garden areas. The venue is closed for refurbishment during the entire month of August.

What AV equipment and technical support is included?

Theatre packages cost £2,000-£2,400 + VAT and include projection screens, 12,000 lumens projector, conference lectern, laptops, PA system, 12 microphones, lighting rig, Zoom/Teams capability, and expert technical support from 8:00-17:00. Smaller rooms have plasma screens available for £150 + VAT.

How does the booking process work and what are the hold periods?

Initial enquiries receive first option holds on space. If another enquiry comes in for the same space, you have 48 hours to make a decision or your booking moves to a second option waitlist. The venue offers site visits to view facilities before confirming bookings.

Are there any discounts available for specific types of organizations?

Charity rates are available with reductions from standard pricing - for example, DDR rates reduced from £93 to £89 + VAT for registered charities. Student discounts may be considered on a case-by-case basis, though the venue maintains minimum spend requirements regardless of discount eligibility.

What additional costs should be budgeted beyond room hire and catering?

AV packages range from £150-£2,400 + VAT depending on requirements. Early morning catering before 8:00 incurs £250 + VAT per hour. Plasma screens cost £150 + VAT, and additional staff requirements are quoted separately. All prices exclude 20% VAT.

What spaces are available for networking, exhibitions, and breakout sessions?

Lasdun Hall can be used for drinks receptions, Osler and Long Room serves as catering/networking space, and multiple breakout rooms are available including Linacre Room and Sloane Room (both £650 + VAT, max 50 theatre-style). Some breakout rooms are complimentary with larger bookings.