Business at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms

An opulent event venue in Covent Garden with a grand hall, art-deco style, and capacity for 1,500 guests.

From: £60 per person

Capacity: Up to 1500 guests

Events at Leonardo Royal Hotel London St.Pauls

A large conference and event space with the latest technology in a bustling business district near St Paul's Cathedral.

From: £65 per person

Capacity: Up to 900 guests

Dining at Le Bab

Versatile event space in Covent Garden for intimate dinners, large groups, and various functions.

From: £600 per person

Capacity: Up to 600 guests

Dining at Royal National Hotel

A grand, flexible event space in Central London for up to 700 guests, ideal for various occasions.

From: £49 per person

Capacity: Up to 800 guests

Weddings at The Fable

From: £5000 per person

Capacity: Up to 1000 guests

How much space does a 500-delegate theatre setup require?

A theatre-style layout needs approximately 500 m² (1 m² per person). For aisles and AV towers, add 15% extra space, totalling around 575 m². Factor in a 10 m × 6 m stage footprint and 1.5 m clearance around exits.

What AV power requirements support a 500-head conference?

You’ll need at least 20 kW of dedicated power for PA systems, projectors, lighting and simultaneous charging. Confirm the venue has redundant circuits and UPS support for live-streamed content to avoid dropouts.

What is a reasonable budget allocation per head for Holborn events?

Allocate c.40% of DDR to catering (£26–£48/head), 25% to venue hire (£16–£30/head), 20% to AV and staging (£13–£24/head) and 15% for extras (furniture, staffing, security: £10–£18/head). This yields a DDR of £65–£120.

What permissions are needed for AV and rigging in Holborn venues?

Most venues hold fixed rig points rated for 500 kg. You only need to supply method statements and insurance (public liability £10m). Venues usually waive additional permits if you use their approved contractors.

Which transport lines can handle 500 attendees during peak hours?

Holborn station handles c.17,000 passengers per hour per line (Central & Piccadilly). Combined, that’s c.34,000/hour. Chancery Lane adds another 12,000/hour. These volumes comfortably accommodate 500-head events arriving over 30 minutes.

What is the average day-delegate rate for a 500-head event in Holborn?

Expect DDRs of £65–£75 per person midweek for standard packages (room hire, two breaks, buffet lunch, basic AV). Premium packages (hot plated lunch, upgraded AV, bespoke décor) average £90–£120 per person. Many venues require a minimum spend of £32,500–£60,000 for 500 delegates.

How many breakout rooms suit a 500-delegate conference?

Plan at least four breakout rooms of 50–80 m² each. This allows 60–80 delegates per room. For parallel sessions, schedule no more than three streams to avoid overcrowding reception and catering zones.

How is minimum spend calculated for 500-person venue hire?

Venues set minimum spend by multiplying DDR by headcount. For 500 delegates at £70 DDR, minimum spend equals £35,000. Some venues add room hire as a separate fee (c. £5,000), raising the total to £40,000.