Business

What are the dry hire rates for the Business space and what's included?

Dry hire packages start from £10,000.00 for larger events. For smaller meeting rooms, rates vary by space - for example, the Dorset Suite is £2,200.00 VAT exempt (reduced from £4,429.00), and the Cambridge Suite is £530.00 VAT exempt (reduced from £1,390.00). All room hire includes meeting room hire, pads & pencils, comprehensive Wi-Fi throughout the site, and chilled conference mineral water inside the room.

What are the Day Delegate Rate packages and pricing?

Day Delegate Rates start from £55.00 per person inclusive of VAT (reduced from £129.00) with a minimum of 10 people. The package includes air-conditioned room with daylight, superfast Wi-Fi, water throughout the day, energising lunch, free-flowing tea and coffee, 1 flipchart, and 3000 lumen LCD projector & screen (8"x6"). Larger events can get rates as low as £60.00 per person for 250+ delegates.

What are the capacity limits for different room setups in the Business space?

Room capacities vary significantly by space and setup. The Dorset Suite accommodates up to 60 delegates in classroom style, Cambridge Suite holds up to 24 in boardroom style, and Boardroom 2 fits up to 13 in boardroom style. Larger spaces like the Cornwall Suite can accommodate up to 200 cabaret style or 250 theatre style, while the Grand Hall holds up to 400 cabaret or 650 theatre style.

Are there restrictions on ticket sales for events?

Yes, for ticketed events all tickets must be pre-purchased - the venue does not allow tickets to be sold on the night. This is a strict policy that applies to all ticketed events regardless of size or type.

What additional costs should I budget for beyond the base room hire?

Key additional costs include: tea, coffee & refreshments at £3.95 per person per serving (or unlimited at £11.50 per person), LCD projector & screen from £195.00 inclusive of VAT, catering options like energising lunch at £20.95 per person or sandwich lunch at £12.95 per person. For evening events, mandatory security is required at £29.40 per hour inclusive of VAT with minimum 4 hours and 2 guards for 1-200 guests.

How long can I hold a provisional booking before confirming?

The venue operates on a "joint 1st option" system for provisional bookings, but they actively follow up for decisions. Based on correspondence patterns, bookings are typically released if no updates are received within several weeks, and the venue may set specific deadlines requiring confirmation by a certain date and time or the booking will be released.

What AV equipment is included and what costs extra?

Basic AV included in Day Delegate Rates consists of 1 flipchart and 3000 lumen LCD projector & screen (8"x6"). Additional AV equipment is available at extra cost - LCD projector & screen starts from £195.00 inclusive of VAT, and upgrades to bigger screens are recommended for larger events at additional charges. The venue can request quotes from their AV supplier for specific requirements.

What are the operating hours and any time restrictions?

Standard meeting room hire typically runs 09:00-17:00, though some quotes show flexibility with timings like 08:30 starts. All spaces must be vacated by 17:00 or additional de-rig charges apply for day events. Evening events can run until 01:00, and setup time from 06:00-09:00 is available complimentary for larger events.

Are there any mandatory charges I need to know about?

Yes, security is compulsory for evening events at £29.40 per hour inclusive of VAT based on guest numbers: 1-200 guests require 2 guards, 201-400 guests need 4 guards, 401-600 need 6 guards. Minimum booking is 4 hours and must be paid no later than 1 month prior to the event. Some quotes also mention a discretionary 3% service charge may be added to final invoices.

What catering options are available and how do minimum spends work?

Catering ranges from basic refreshments to full meals. Post-meeting drinks require minimum F&B spends - typically £3,000-£5,000 inclusive of VAT with at least 50% spent on food. If the guaranteed minimum spend isn't reached, the remaining balance is charged as room hire. Unlimited drinks packages are available: 1 hour £25pp, 2 hours £45pp, 3 hours £70pp, with prosecco adding £10pp.