Business

What is the room hire cost for the Council Chamber and what's included?

The Council Chamber costs £1,320+VAT for a full day hire (9am-5pm). This includes state-of-the-art AV equipment with data projector, screen, PA system with up to 8 microphones, individual delegate microphones, electronic voting system, flipchart, and technician support for setup.

What is the seating capacity and layout options for the Council Chamber?

The Council Chamber accommodates up to 88 delegates in theatre-style seating with a nine-seat hosting panel at the top table. The room is specifically designed for meetings, interactive debates and AGMs with individual laptop and microphone connections at each seat.

What are the minimum catering spend requirements?

There is a minimum catering spend of £250+VAT for lunch when booking meeting rooms. For Day Delegate Rate packages, minimum numbers of 70 apply at £95+VAT per person, which includes room hire, catering throughout the day, and AV support.

Can external caterers be brought in for events?

No, external catering is not permitted due to BMA House's exclusive contract with their in-house caterers. All food and beverage must be provided through their catering team.

What accessibility features are available in the Council Chamber?

The Council Chamber is fully accessible and located on the first floor. The venue has wheelchair accessibility, though some areas may require use of wheelchair lifts with weight restrictions that could be unsuitable for electric wheelchairs, so advance notice is required for wheelchair users.

How far in advance do enquiries expire in their booking system?

Enquiries typically expire in their system after a specific timeframe, with venues managers stating dates like "please let me know if you are interested in booking by the 25th June, after this time your enquiry will expire in our system." The exact timeframe varies but appears to be several weeks to a month.

What response time should I expect for enquiries?

BMA House aims to respond to enquiries within 1-2 days. They are currently experiencing high volumes of enquiries, so patience is requested during busy periods.

What unique AV features does the Council Chamber offer for interactive meetings?

The Council Chamber features an electronic voting system with live voting buttons at each seat, individual microphone connections for every delegate, push-to-talk microphones, a touch screen for speakers, and an induction loop system. This makes it ideal for AGMs and interactive debates requiring audience participation.

Are there any timing restrictions for meetings and conferences?

Standard meeting room hire runs from 9am-5pm. Some spaces like the Garden have restrictions (closes at 22:00), and evening events in the Garden & Garden Room can only be booked from 6:30pm-11pm. Access times can sometimes be extended or start earlier depending on setup requirements.

What natural light and blackout options are available?

The Council Chamber has dual aspect windows providing plenty of natural light with views over the Garden and Courtyard. Full blackout blinds can be installed when required for presentations or AV-heavy sessions.