Events

What are the room hire rates and discount structure for the Events space?

Room hire rates vary by space: Grand Hall £8,000 per day, MBA Classroom £5,000-£6,000 per day, Executive Classroom £3,000-£5,000 per day, 1st Floor Lounge £3,600 per day, and Collaboration Forum £3,000 per day. The venue offers Booth discounts ranging from 25% to 50% depending on the booking, with some quotes showing 40% discounts. All room hire is VAT exempt.

What are the capacity limits for different seating arrangements in each space?

Grand Hall accommodates 150-175 cabaret, 160-200 rounds, 240 theatre, or 300 standing. MBA Classroom holds 104 classroom style, Executive Classroom seats 52 classroom style, 1st Floor Lounge fits 180-210 cabaret, 240 rounds, 350 theatre or standing. Collaboration Forum accommodates 50 in rounds or theatre style.

What catering options and pricing are available through the venue's preferred caterer?

Finotaste provides all catering with set menus: Continental Breakfast £15+VAT per person, Sandwich Lunch £25+VAT, Finger Buffet Lunch £27+VAT, Fork Buffet Lunch £30+VAT, Tea/Coffee £4+VAT per serving (add-on only), All Day Catering Menu £45+VAT, Canapes £25+VAT, and 2-hour Drinks Package £25+VAT (unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks). The All Day Menu includes 3 tea/coffee services plus Fork Buffet Lunch.

What AV equipment is included with room hire and what are the additional charges?

Room hire includes multimedia projectors, built-in hybrid cameras, microphones (handheld and lapel), ceiling speakers, Cisco video conferencing, WiFi (1Gbps fiber-optic with 100Mbps backup), HDMI connections, and 15 minutes complimentary IT support from 9am. Additional charges apply for: Stage (4m x 2m) £400+VAT per day, Digital Lectern £600+VAT per day, Dedicated IT Tech £600+VAT per day (9am-5pm).

What are the standard event hours and any restrictions on timing?

Standard event hours are 9am-5pm, though some quotes show flexibility with 8am starts and events running until 6pm. The venue appears to accommodate different timing requests, with some events quoted for morning-only sessions or extended hours. IT support is available from 9am, suggesting this is the earliest recommended start time for technical setup.

What is the booking process and how far in advance can dates be held?

The venue operates on a first option basis without holding dates initially, meaning availability is confirmed but not reserved until contracted. When clients are ready to contract, the venue will give other interested parties 48 hours notice before confirming the booking. Site visits are offered and encouraged, often combined with lunch or brunch meetings.

Are there any mandatory additional services or hidden costs beyond room hire?

Manned cloakroom service costs £25+VAT per person per hour (unmanned cloakroom available free). The venue requires use of their preferred caterer Finotaste for all food and beverage. Extension leads and adaptors can be provided if clients cannot supply their own (specific pricing not detailed). All quoted prices exclude VAT except room hire which is VAT exempt.

What breakout and additional spaces are available for networking events?

The venue offers 15 Study Rooms at £400 each (accommodates 8 boardroom style with additional chairs possible), Executive Classroom and Collaboration Forum as breakout options at £1,500-£3,000 per day with discounts. The 1st Floor Lounge provides dedicated catering space with views of St Paul's Cathedral, and the venue has multiple pantry areas and back-of-house spaces for printing and preparation needs.

What are the venue's location and transport links?

Located at One Bartholomew Close, Barts Square, London EC1A 7BL, the venue is 5 minutes walk from St Paul's Central line station and 10 minutes from Farringdon's Elizabeth and Thameslink lines. The venue is positioned in the heart of London's banking and finance district, with easy access to four tube stations connecting to main rail networks.

Can clients bring their own equipment and what technical specifications are available?

Clients can supply their own extension leads and adaptors, though the venue can provide these if needed. The venue offers hard-wired Ethernet ports, 1Gbps fiber-optic WiFi with 100Mbps backup, HDMI laptop connections, and Air Media wireless presentation for mobile devices. All rooms are hybrid-enabled with built-in cameras and video conferencing capabilities.