Business

Dining

Weddings

What are the venue hire rates and what's included in the base price?

Venue hire rates vary by space and day: weekday hire starts from £4,825 VAT exempt, weekend hire from £7,175 VAT exempt (2pm-midnight with supplier access from 12pm). Individual rooms range from £1,100-£3,100 VAT exempt for day hire. Base price includes room access and basic setup, but catering, AV, and additional services are charged separately.

What are the capacity limits for different event formats?

Maximum seated capacity for ceremony and dinner is 100 guests in the Beatrice Webb Room. The Reading Room holds up to 70 guests for standing reception. Individual rooms vary: Council Room seats up to 70 for dinner, Music Room requires additional space for 50+ guests as it's too small for dinner and drinks alone.

What are the mandatory catering minimums and who provides the food?

All catering is provided exclusively by Searcys, the in-house catering partner. Evening events have a minimum spend of £1,000 + VAT. Breakfast options range from £6.50-£15.75 + VAT per person, lunch from £25.00-£39.75 + VAT per person, and 3-course dinners start at £66.50 + VAT per person.

What are the supplier restrictions and approval requirements?

The venue maintains detailed lists of Approved Suppliers for Audio Visual, Production, and Floristry, plus Recommended suppliers. Use of any third-party suppliers outside these lists must be agreed in writing by the venue before booking. This applies to all external vendors including photographers, entertainers, and decorators.

What are the booking and payment procedures?

Bookings require a signed hire agreement with full signatory details, organization information, and finance contact. A 50% deposit invoice is sent upon receipt of the signed agreement - wait for this invoice before making payment as you'll need to quote the invoice number. December bookings operate on a first-to-confirm basis due to high demand.

Are there additional fees for early access or late events?

Standard access for organizers is 15 minutes before hire period (e.g., 8:15am for 9am start). Catering service before 8am incurs a £300 + VAT per hour fee. Late catering after 11pm costs £300 + VAT per hour. Additional venue hours after 10pm are £500 VAT exempt per hour.

What AV equipment and technical support is available?

Basic AV packages include screens, PA systems, and up to 2 microphones. Upgrades available for up to 4 microphones with sit-in technician, staging for £350 + VAT, and specialized equipment for live streaming. The venue has an in-house AV team, but complex requirements may need pre-approved external suppliers.

What seasonal offers and Christmas packages are available?

Winter weddings in October/November 2025 receive £1,000 discount on venue hire. Christmas packages include the Festive Dinner & DJ package at £145 + VAT per person (minimum 55 guests) with sparkling wine, 3-course dinner, wine, entertainment, and festive decorations. December availability is limited and operates first-come-first-served.

Can the venue accommodate dietary restrictions and cultural cuisine preferences?

Searcys can provide halal and South Asian inspired catering, though they note they are not specialized in South Asian cuisine. Vegetarian and vegan options are available for all menus. The venue offers 'Healthy Lifestyle' menu options marked with green leaf symbols on their seasonal menus.

What are the access hours and setup limitations?

Standard venue access runs 8am-midnight, with organizer access typically 15 minutes before hire period. Supplier setup access varies by package (e.g., from 12pm for wedding packages, 5:15pm for evening events). Staff work flexible hours and may not respond between 9am-5pm - call 0207 969 5224 for urgent requests.