Business

Dining

Events

What are the minimum venue hire costs and catering requirements for the dining spaces?

Minimum venue hire is £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). For smaller events, there's a minimum catering spend of £2,500 ex VAT based on 100 guests minimum. All prices exclude VAT.

Which dining spaces are available and what are their individual hire costs?

The Assembly Hall costs £8,580 ex VAT, Hoare Memorial Hall £5,460 ex VAT, Harvey Goodwin Suite £3,642 ex VAT, and Bishops Partridge Hall £4,578 ex VAT. These spaces are often used together for larger events, with the Assembly Hall serving as the main dining space and other halls for catering, drinks receptions, or breakout areas.

What are the standard operating hours and setup access times?

Events typically run from 08:30 to 17:00 for day events, with evening events extending to 19:00 or later. Setup access the evening prior is available from 18:30-21:30 for £11,940 ex VAT, with venues cleared by 22:00. AV crew can access from 06:30 on event day.

What AV packages are available and what do they include?

The Assembly Hall AV package costs £4,794 ex VAT and includes 4K laser projector, 5.6m x 3.15m projection screen, 8-speaker sound system, lectern microphones, lapel microphones, stage lighting, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite AV is £2,796 ex VAT with LCD projector, sound system, and lighting. Weekend bookings incur an extra £500 per AV package.

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

Popular dates book up quickly, with the venue frequently fully booked on requested dates as shown in multiple enquiries. Contact Charlotte Brumby at +44 (0)20 7390 1544 or the sales team for availability checks. They provide detailed proposals with space allocations and pricing breakdowns for review.

What catering options and pricing are available through Searcys?

Day Delegate Rates start from £59,400 for 500 guests (£118.80 per person) including room hire, arrival refreshments, mid-morning/afternoon breaks, 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. Drinks receptions start from £29.50 ex VAT per person.

What are the capacity limits for different dining setups in each space?

The Assembly Hall accommodates up to 350 theatre style or cabaret style for dining. Hoare Memorial Hall holds 250 standing for receptions. Harvey Goodwin Suite seats 180 theatre style. Bishops Partridge Hall accommodates 150 standing. Multiple spaces are often combined for larger events up to 600 guests total.

Are there any restrictions on event types or special requirements?

The venue handles corporate events, conferences, award ceremonies, and private dining. Boxing events and filming enquiries are accommodated with specialist contacts. All spaces are fully accessible with no alternative routes required. The venue achieved carbon-neutral status and focuses on sustainable events using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

What additional costs should I budget for beyond venue hire and catering?

AV packages range from £1,830-£4,794 ex VAT depending on the space. Setup access the evening prior costs £11,940 ex VAT. Weekend bookings have higher minimum spends and additional AV fees of £500. All prices exclude 20% VAT which must be added to final costs.

Can I use external suppliers or am I restricted to in-house services?

Catering is provided exclusively by Searcys, the venue's catering partner. AV services appear to be provided in-house with standard packages available. The venue has an expert team of event coordinators, caterers, and production technicians, though specific vendor policies for other services are not detailed in available information.