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Screenings

What are the capacity limits and seating arrangements for business events?

RSA House offers multiple spaces with varying capacities: Great Room accommodates 180 theatre style or 80 cabaret, Benjamin Franklin Room holds 100 theatre or 48 cabaret, Queen Elizabeth II Room seats 30 theatre or 21 cabaret, and Prince Philip Room fits 56 theatre or 40 cabaret. All rooms can be configured for boardroom, reception, or dining setups with specific capacity limits for each arrangement.

What are the room hire costs and minimum catering requirements?

Room hire varies by space and duration - for example, Queen Elizabeth II room costs £1,150 + VAT for 8:30am-5pm with a mandatory minimum catering spend of £600 + VAT. Great Room hire ranges from £3,000-£7,140 + VAT depending on duration, while Prince Philip room costs £1,400 + VAT for evening hire (6pm-11pm) with £1,100 + VAT minimum catering spend.

What audio-visual equipment is included and what are the additional costs?

Basic AV packages are available - Great Room AV package costs £940-£1,182 + VAT and includes data projector, screen, stage, lectern with microphone, handheld microphone, surround sound and AV technician support up to 8 hours. Additional handheld or lapel microphones cost £68-£75 + VAT each, and flipcharts with pens are £15 + VAT each.

How long can dates be held and what are the booking confirmation requirements?

Dates can be held for up to two weeks while you decide on the venue. If a decision is needed sooner, you'll be given 48 hours to either confirm with a signed contract or release the date. Weekend events require exclusive hire of the venue at approximately £12,000 + VAT to open the house.

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

Standard business events typically run from 8:30am-5pm during weekdays. Evening events can extend until 11pm, with venue hire extensions available from 12am-1am for £2,250 + VAT or 12am-2am for £4,500 + VAT. Weekend events require special arrangements and significantly higher costs due to exclusive venue hire requirements.

Is external catering permitted and what are the catering policies?

External catering is not permitted at RSA House - all food and beverage must be provided through their in-house catering services. The venue does not offer dry hire options, and there are mandatory minimum catering spends that must be met or exceeded with their food and beverage items.

What additional services and equipment can be hired, and at what cost?

Additional services include wireless uplighters from £22-£25 + VAT each (maximum 16, subject to availability), TV screens from £200 + VAT each, armchair hire from £50-£55 + VAT per chair, and various microphone options. All additional audio-visual equipment is subject to availability and additional charges.

What approval process is required for events and what information must be provided?

Events require detailed information including organization details, event purpose, attendee profiles, speakers, themes of conversation, security requirements, and confirmation that the event aligns with RSA's vision, mission and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitments. The venue reserves the right to decline events that don't align with their values.

What spaces work together and how are they typically configured for business events?

Great Room and Benjamin Franklin Room work hand-in-hand, with Benjamin Franklin serving as the catering space directly beneath the Great Room for presentations. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip rooms adjoin each other on the 1st floor. This allows for seamless flow between presentation and catering/networking areas during conferences and meetings.

Are there any event type restrictions or content limitations?

The venue conducts thorough vetting including questions about speakers, controversial attendees, political figures, press coverage, streaming/recording plans, and general themes of conversation. Events must align with RSA's mission and values, and the organization reserves the right to decline bookings that don't meet their standards for social change and enlightened thinking.