Business

Dining

Events

What are the exact venue hire costs for the Convocation Hall dining space?

The Convocation Hall has a venue hire cost of £2,760 including VAT (£2,300 excluding VAT) for a standard day hire from 08:30 to 17:00. Weekend bookings may incur additional charges, and extended hours beyond 17:00 will result in extra fees.

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

The Convocation Hall can accommodate up to 60 guests for seated lunch or dinner, or 50 guests for seated buffet style. The space features a low stage at one end framed by classical details and a private seated gallery at the opposite end, making it ideal for intimate dining events.

What are the minimum catering spend requirements?

There is a minimum catering spend of £41.50 per person excluding VAT. For events with fewer than the minimum guest count, you may still need to meet a minimum total spend based on a set number of guests, as indicated in some quotes showing minimum spends of £2,500-£11,620 excluding VAT.

What AV equipment is included in the standard package for the Convocation Hall?

The standard AV package costs £1,830 including VAT (£1,525 excluding VAT) and includes a 95" LED screen in 16:9 ratio, lectern, d&b sound system with 2 speakers, 4 cabled top-table microphones, 2 lectern microphones, 2 hand-held radio microphones for Q&A, 2 lapel microphones, production engineer, and WiFi access.

What are the standard operating hours and access times?

Standard venue hire runs from 08:30 to 17:00. Setup access can be arranged the evening prior between 18:30-21:30 for an additional £11,940 excluding VAT, with the venue needing to be cleared by 22:00. Extended hours beyond 17:00 on the event day will incur additional charges.

Is the venue fully accessible for guests with mobility requirements?

Yes, the Convocation Hall has wheelchair access. The venue descriptions specifically mention wheelchair accessibility as a key feature, making it suitable for guests with mobility requirements.

What types of dining events is the Convocation Hall best suited for?

The Convocation Hall is ideal for intimate dining events including Christmas dinners, charity dinners, association dinners, seated lunches, and formal dinner events. The historic atmosphere and classical details make it particularly suitable for prestigious or ceremonial dining occasions requiring an elegant setting.

How far in advance do I need to book and what is the booking process?

Based on correspondence patterns, popular dates can be fully booked months in advance, with some dates showing full bookings 8-10 months ahead. The booking process involves contacting the sales team who will check availability and provide detailed proposals including venue hire, catering options, and AV requirements.

Are there any restrictions on decorations or branding for dining events?

While specific decoration restrictions aren't detailed in the available information, the venue does accommodate branding opportunities as mentioned in conference quotes. Given the Grade II listed historic nature of the building, any decorations or modifications would likely need venue approval to preserve the classical architectural details.

What catering options are available and who provides the food service?

Catering is provided by Searcys, the venue's catering partner, who creates menus using fresh, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Options include seated lunch/dinner service and seated buffet arrangements, with the venue achieving carbon-neutral status reflecting their commitment to sustainable practices.