Business

What is the base venue hire cost and what's included?

Dry venue hire starts from £18,000 + VAT, which includes the venue, an event manager, security, first aid, and cleaning/porter teams. Catering, production, florist, and entertainment are additional costs provided through accredited suppliers only.

Are there any days when events cannot be held?

Events cannot be hosted on Fridays as the gallery is open to the public until 21:00, preventing evening events. New Year's Eve is also unavailable due to Trafalgar Square celebrations and road closures that prevent supplier access.

What are the evening event timings and extension costs?

Evening events start from 18:45 with guest access typically from 18:45/19:00. Standing receptions run for 3 hours (ending at 22:00) and seated dinners for 4 hours (ending at 23:00). Extensions beyond these times cost £2,000 + VAT per hour, with events able to run until 02:00.

Can I use my own suppliers for catering and production?

No, all catering, production, florist, and entertainment must be provided through the National Gallery's accredited suppliers only. You must select from their Accredited Supplier List and cannot bring in external vendors.

What are the different pricing tiers for smaller events?

The Yves Saint Laurent room is priced at £10,000 + VAT and accommodates up to 60 people. The Pigott Theatre evening hire starts at £15,000 + VAT. These smaller spaces have lower minimums than the main £18,000 + VAT venue hire.

Are ticketed events permitted at the venue?

No, the National Gallery cannot host ticketed events according to their gallery policy. This restriction applies to all event types regardless of size or purpose.

What capacity limits apply to different event formats?

Evening hire for 300 people starts at £18,000 + VAT. The venue can accommodate dinners for up to 350 guests and receptions for up to 1,200 guests in their picture galleries, though specific room capacities vary significantly.

Are there any special requirements for exhibition access?

Exhibition access at the National Gallery is an exclusive benefit of Corporate Support only. For events that include private views of exhibitions, you must contact the Corporate Team separately as this is not included in standard venue hire.