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What is the pricing structure for exclusive venue hire at Athena?

Event packages start at £59.95 + VAT per person (£71.94 including VAT) for conferences with full catering and AV included. A build day costs an additional £1,500 + VAT if required. Wedding packages include exclusive hire of the entire venue with all facilities, equipment, and services included in one comprehensive price.

What is the maximum capacity for events at Athena?

Athena can accommodate up to 1,400 guests across its flexible spaces. The venue has successfully hosted events ranging from 120 guests for intimate ceremonies to 800 guests in cabaret-style arrangements. The space can be configured for various seating arrangements including cabaret style, theatre style, and seated dinner formats.

What spaces and facilities are included with exclusive venue hire?

Exclusive hire includes the cinema suite, foyer, balcony, deco lounges, kitchen, three dressing rooms (two with ensuite bathrooms), and 100 complimentary car parking spaces with two stewards. The venue provides a 10m x 5m cinema screen, purpose-built stage with star cloth backdrop, comprehensive lighting system, RCF sound system, Christie laser projectors, and 500MB complimentary fibre WiFi.

What catering and bar services are provided?

Catering includes arrival refreshments (tea, coffee, orange juice, pastries, fresh fruit), mid-morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch service with freshly prepared two-course hot fork or finger buffet. The venue offers no corkage on beers, wines, spirits, or soft drinks, and provides all cutlery, crockery, glassware, tables, and chairs with choice of black or white linen.

What audio-visual equipment and technical support is included?

The venue includes in-house technical support, Ethos 1Pro-Logic sound system, comprehensive lighting system, three Christie laser projectors, two 120-inch retractable projector screens, handheld microphones, two LED lecterns, data connection with live feed capabilities, and USB connection for slideshows. External AV suppliers can be accommodated if preferred.

Are there any restrictions on event timing or setup requirements?

The venue offers flexible event timings and access for setup and de-rig. Build days are available for £1,500 + VAT when additional setup time is required. Events can run from morning through evening, with some quotes showing events from 8:00 AM to 11:59 PM depending on requirements.

Does Athena provide accommodation for guests?

No, Athena is not a hotel and does not provide accommodation services. Guests requiring overnight stays will need to arrange separate hotel bookings in Leicester's city center, though the venue's central location in Leicester's cultural quarter provides easy access to nearby accommodation options.

What parking and accessibility features are available?

The venue provides 100 complimentary car parking spaces with two dedicated stewards included in the hire. Athena is located in Leicester's cultural quarter with good public transport links, making it accessible for guests traveling from across the UK by train and major motorway connections.

Can the venue accommodate breakout rooms for conferences?

Yes, the venue can provide breakout spaces for conferences. Quotes show accommodation for 3 breakout rooms of 50 people each in either banquet or theatre-style seating arrangements, while maintaining the main space in cabaret configuration for larger groups.

What additional services are included in the venue hire?

Included services comprise dedicated event managers, venue setup and cleaning, staffed cloakroom service, registration area in the main foyer, table service for bar drinks, LED table centerpieces, and evening prosecco service (one glass per guest). The venue also provides trestle tables and linen for gift tables, guest books, and cake displays as required.