Business

Dining

Events

What are the room hire costs for the Council Chamber and what minimum spend requirements apply?

The Council Chamber costs £1,000-£1,200 + VAT for room hire, with pricing varying by event type and guest numbers. For dinner events, there's a 70-person minimum requirement, and drinks receptions require a minimum spend of £22 + VAT per guest based on at least 70 people.

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

The venue offers a 3-course dinner with half bottle of wine at £70-£74.50 + VAT per person, and unlimited drinks reception (beer, wine, soft drinks and nibbles) at £22 + VAT per guest for one hour. Day delegate rates for conferences start at £84-£92 + VAT per person with minimum guarantees of 80-200 delegates depending on the package.

What are the capacity limits for different event setups in the Council Chamber?

The Council Chamber accommodates up to 100 people in theatre style, 90 for banquet seating, or 64 for cabaret style. The venue enforces minimum guest requirements for certain events, particularly 70 people minimum for dinner bookings.

What is the minimum budget threshold and when will the venue decline bookings?

The venue has a minimum spend threshold of £2,000 + VAT for most bookings. Events with budgets significantly below this amount (such as £500-£1,000 requests) are typically declined, as evidenced by multiple rejections for budget-conscious enquiries.

Are there restrictions on daytime bookings and what access times are available?

The venue does not offer daytime bookings for certain spaces, with some events requiring access from 6pm onwards. Standard access is typically from 7am, with earlier access from 5am available at £250 + VAT per half hour, and overnight setup after 11pm subject to application and additional costs.

What restrictions apply to garden events and outdoor activities?

Inflatables are not permitted in the garden areas. For garden events, the venue requires a minimum spend of £69 + VAT per guest, and garden hire costs £2,500 + VAT for combined garden and medicinal garden spaces.

When is the venue closed and unavailable for bookings?

The venue is completely closed throughout August for soft refurbishment work. However, limited availability may exist for specific weekend dates (such as August 6-7) for garden events at premium rates.

What approval process is required and are there content restrictions?

The venue requires disclosure of the event topic to ensure it adheres to the values of the Royal College of Physicians. Events must align with the institution's medical and professional standards, and the venue reserves the right to decline bookings that don't meet these criteria.

What are the payment terms and booking hold procedures?

The venue offers first option holds on space, but if another enquiry is received, clients have 48 hours to make a decision or the booking moves to a second option waitlist. Specific payment terms and deposit requirements are not detailed in available communications.

What AV equipment and technical support is included with room hire?

The Council Chamber includes a 'Creative AV package' as a feature. Additional AV packages are available at £1,995-£2,000 + VAT, including projection screens, lecterns, projectors, confidence monitors, laptops, PA systems, multiple microphones, and expert technical support from 8am-5pm.