Business

What are the dry hire rates for business meetings and how do they vary by room size?

Dry hire packages start from £10,000.00 for larger events, with smaller meeting rooms available from £530.00 VAT exempt (reduced from £1,390.00) for spaces like the Cambridge Suite accommodating up to 24 delegates. The Dorset Suite for 60 delegates costs £2,200.00 VAT exempt (reduced from £4,429.00), while boardroom spaces for 10-13 delegates start at £550.00 inclusive of VAT for a day delegate package.

What is included in the Day Delegate Rate packages and what are the current pricing levels?

Day Delegate Rates range from £55.00-£87.00 per person inclusive of VAT (reduced from £129.00-£189.00). The package includes room hire 09:00-17:00, air-conditioned room with daylight, superfast Wi-Fi, water throughout the day, pastries and smoothies on arrival, energising lunch, free-flowing tea and coffee, flipchart, and 3000 lumen LCD projector with 8'x6' screen. All spaces must be vacated by 17:00 or additional de-rig charges apply.

What are the capacity limits for different meeting room setups and which rooms are available?

Available rooms include the Cambridge Suite (24 delegates boardroom style), Dorset Suite (60 delegates classroom style), various boardrooms for 10-13 delegates, and larger spaces like the Cornwall Suite (200 cabaret/250 theatre style). The Grand Hall accommodates up to 400 cabaret style or 650 theatre style. All rooms have natural daylight, disabled access, and are located on different floors throughout the venue.

What are the mandatory additional costs beyond room hire that must be budgeted for?

Security is compulsory for events at £29.40 per hour inclusive of VAT with minimum 4 hours and minimum 2 guards required (1-200 guests = 2 guards, 201-400 guests = 4 guards). Security must be paid no later than 1 month prior to the event. A discretionary 3% service charge may be added to final invoices.

What are the restrictions for ticketed events and advance booking requirements?

For ticketed events, all tickets must be pre-purchased and the venue does not allow tickets to be sold on the night. Provisional space holdings are released if no updates are received, and booking confirmations require decisions by specified deadlines or the space will be released to other clients.

What AV equipment is included and what additional options are available?

Basic package includes 3000 lumen LCD projector and 8'x6' screen, with flipchart provided. Upgrades to bigger screens are available at additional charges from £195.00 inclusive of VAT. The venue has in-house AV professionals and can provide quotes for additional equipment including microphones, larger screens, and specialized setups through their AV supplier.

What catering options are available and how are they priced?

Tea and coffee refreshments cost £3.95 per person per serving, unlimited refreshments £5.75-£11.50 per person inclusive of VAT. Food options include energising lunch £20.95, sandwich lunch £12.95, bacon/egg bap £4.95, and Danish pastries £4.00 per person. Post-meeting receptions require minimum F&B spend of £3,000-£5,000 inclusive of VAT with at least 50% spent on food.

How far in advance can space be held and what is the booking confirmation process?

The venue offers joint 1st option holds for enquiries, but these require regular updates or will be released. Specific deadlines are given for confirmation decisions (such as 1pm on specified dates), and if confirmation is not received by the deadline, bookings are automatically released. The venue follows up regularly on provisional holdings.

What are the setup and access times, and are there additional charges for extended access?

Standard room hire typically runs 09:00-17:00, with setup from 06:00-09:00 available complimentary for some packages. All spaces must be vacated by 17:00 or additional de-rig charges apply. Early access and extended hours may be available at additional cost depending on the specific requirements and room availability.

What facilities are included for business meetings and what additional services are available?

All meeting rooms include pads and pencils, comprehensive Wi-Fi access, and chilled conference mineral water. The venue provides cloakroom facilities, has disabled access throughout, and offers printing/photocopying facilities. Additional services include dedicated event managers for larger events and storage facilities where required.