Business

Dining

Events

What are the minimum venue hire costs and catering requirements for business events?

There is a minimum venue hire of £8,000 ex VAT for weekend bookings. Catering has a minimum spend of £69.50 per person with a minimum of 250 guests (£17,375 total), though some quotes show lower minimums of £41.50 per person with 280 minimum guests. AV packages start from £4,495 ex VAT.

Which spaces are available for business meetings and what are their capacities?

Key business spaces include the Assembly Hall (main conference space), Harvey Goodwin Suite (up to 180 theatre style), Hoare Memorial Hall (catering and exhibition space), Convocation Hall (100 theatre style), and smaller meeting rooms like Charter Room and College Room. The Herbert Baker Room specifically mentioned has a 64" plasma screen and is ideal for boardroom meetings and workshops.

What AV equipment is included in standard packages for presentations and seminars?

Standard AV packages include high-powered projectors (4K laser for Assembly Hall, 7000 lumen LCD for Harvey Goodwin Suite), large screens, sound systems with multiple speakers, lectern and handheld microphones, lapel microphones, lighting desks, laptops, and WiFi access. An AV engineer is included with each package.

What are the typical operating hours and setup access times?

Events typically run from 08:30-17:00 for day conferences. Setup access the evening prior is available from 18:30-21:30 for £11,940 ex VAT, with venues to be cleared by 22:00pm. Some quotes mention 6:30am access for event crews on the day of the event.

How far in advance do I need to book and what dates are typically unavailable?

The venue appears to book up well in advance, with multiple examples of dates being fully booked 8-12 months ahead. Popular dates like September 23rd, October 21st, and June 26th were shown as unavailable for 2025 events. Early booking is essential for securing preferred dates.

What catering options are available for corporate meetings and workshops?

Day Delegate Rate (DDR) packages are available starting from £59,400 for 500 guests, including room hire, arrival refreshments, mid-morning and afternoon refreshments, and two-choice standing fork buffet lunch. Alternative options include hot fork buffet at £52.00 ex VAT per person, with breakfast and juices charged separately.

Can multiple rooms be hired together for larger corporate events?

Yes, multiple spaces can be combined. Examples include DDR packages that include Assembly Hall, Hoare Memorial Hall, Bishops Partridge Hall, and Harvey Goodwin Suite together. The venue offers "1st floor exclusive hire" options that include multiple rooms for comprehensive corporate events.

What are the policies for external vendors and filming requests?

The venue has a dedicated colleague (Ben) who handles all filming enquiries separately from standard event bookings. For corporate events, the venue appears to work with their in-house teams and preferred suppliers, though specific vendor approval processes are not detailed in the available information.

Are there different pricing structures for weekdays versus weekends?

Yes, weekend bookings have higher minimum spends. One example shows a minimum venue hire of £8,000 ex VAT specifically for weekend bookings, with additional catering minimums. The venue appears to have different pricing tiers depending on the day of the week.

What accessibility features are available for business events?

The venue is described as fully accessible in client requirements, though specific accessibility features are not detailed in the available correspondence. The Herbert Baker Room is located on the ground floor with natural daylight from large leaded windows, suggesting good accessibility for that space.