Dining

Events

Weddings

What is the pricing structure for dinner events and what's included in the base package?

Dinner packages start at £88.70+VAT per person for a basic package including 3-course set menu with coffee, unlimited bottled water, and room hire from 18:30-23:00. The full dinner package at £108.50+VAT per person includes pre-dinner drinks room hire, 2 glasses of house wine for reception, 3-course dinner with coffee, half bottle of house wine with meal, and unlimited bottled water. All packages require a minimum of 30 delegates and exclude VAT.

What are the capacity limits for different dining room configurations?

The Council Room accommodates up to 80 guests for seated dinner, while the Stephenson Room holds maximum 30 guests for standing reception. For events over 30 guests, you can use both interconnected rooms, but this layout is only recommended for maximum 50 guests total. Wedding dinner dance events have a maximum capacity of 220 guests.

What are the mandatory additional costs and late extension fees?

Pre-dinner canapés cost £12.50-£12.75 per person for 3 pieces. Bar setup is £295 including 2 staff members. Late extension fees are: 11pm-midnight £500-£550, 11pm-1am £1,200-£1,300, 11pm-2am £1,900. Choice menu upgrade costs £13.50-£15.00 per person (maximum 3 choices per course), and additional courses are £10.50-£11.00 per person.

What are the restrictions on decorations and entertainment?

The venue prohibits naked flames and smoke for decorations. All entertainment must be approved through the venue's recommended suppliers list. The venue works with a range of entertainment suppliers and can provide personal recommendations, but external entertainment requires prior approval.

What are the booking and payment requirements?

Events can be held on a waitlist option if dates are being held by other clients. Show-round appointments are available Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:00pm, though site visits are currently limited due to building refurbishment. The venue requires provisional holds to secure dates, and specific payment terms are discussed during the booking process.

What are the timing restrictions and access hours?

Standard dinner events run 18:30-23:00, with the period of hire being total access time including setup and breakdown. Events must ensure adequate time for setup and breakdown within the hired period. The venue asks that timing covers all requirements as extensions incur additional fees.

Are there restrictions on alcohol service and what are the drink options?

The venue can accommodate strictly no-alcohol events due to religious reasons by removing all alcohol from packages. Standard packages include house wine, but upgrades available for sparkling wine (£2.40-£4.20 per person) or champagne (£10.40-£15.60 per person). Non-alcoholic drinks are charged on consumption basis when alcohol is excluded.

What are the wedding-specific requirements and restrictions?

Weddings are exclusively hosted on Saturdays and Sundays only - weekday weddings are not available. Minimum wedding capacity starts at 100 guests with venue hire (excluding catering) at £13,800. Maximum wedding dinner dance capacity is 220 guests. The venue provides dry hire proposals and requires advance booking due to limited availability.

What audio-visual equipment and technical support is available?

PA system setup costs £275, with handheld/lapel radio microphones at £75 each. Technician support (up to 10 hours) costs £500. The venue has an exceptional on-site audio-visual team and can provide various AV equipment, though specific requirements should be discussed during booking.

What happens if my preferred date is not available?

If your requested date is unavailable, the venue will suggest the closest available dates. Some dates may be available on a waitlist option if being held by another client. The venue may also recommend alternative venues if they cannot accommodate your requirements, as indicated by their policy to "find the customer an alternative venue" when necessary.