Business

Dining

Events

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

Minimum venue hire is £8,000 ex VAT for weekend bookings. For catering, there's 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 typically used together for business conferences and what are their capacities?

The Assembly Hall serves as the main conference space (up to 600 theatre style), with the Hoare Memorial Hall used for catering and exhibitions. The Harvey Goodwin Suite accommodates up to 180 theatre style as a breakout room, while the Convocation Hall handles up to 100 theatre style for smaller breakouts.

What AV equipment is included in the standard packages and what are the costs?

Assembly Hall AV package (£4,794 ex VAT) includes 4K laser projector, 5.6m x 3.15m screen, 8-speaker sound system, lectern and handheld microphones, stage lighting, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite package (£2,796 ex VAT) includes LCD projector, screen, sound system, and lighting with engineer support.

What are the standard operating hours and setup access times?

Standard hire runs from 08:30 to 17:00 for day events. Evening setup access is available from 18:30-21:30 for £11,940 ex VAT, with venues cleared by 22:00. Extended hours until 19:00 incur additional charges, and weekend bookings have higher minimum spends.

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

Popular dates like September 23rd, October 21st, and June 26th 2025 are already fully booked. The venue operates a provisional booking system and will suggest alternative dates if your preferred date is unavailable. Book well in advance for peak conference season dates.

What catering options are available and can I use external caterers?

Searcys provides in-house catering with Day Delegate Rates from £59.50-£65.50 ex VAT per person including breakfast, refreshments, and lunch. Standing fork buffets, bowl food, and traditional afternoon tea are available. External catering arrangements are not mentioned in available information.

What is the booking and payment process?

Initial proposals are provided based on requirements, followed by site visits when requested. The venue uses a provisional booking system with second options available. Payment terms and deposit requirements are handled case-by-case, with all pricing quoted excluding VAT.

Are there any restrictions on event types or special requirements?

The venue accommodates conferences, meetings, award ceremonies, and corporate events. Filming enquiries are handled by a separate specialist team member. Boxing events and theatrical productions have been accommodated, suggesting flexibility in event types within the historic venue's capabilities.

What additional services and room options are available for larger events?

Additional spaces include Charter Room for individual meetings, College Room as green room, and various smaller rooms (Abbey, Westminster, Herbert Baker, Temple) for breakouts. Services include cloakroom facilities, WiFi access, and the venue can arrange alternative venues if they cannot accommodate your requirements.

What makes Church House Westminster different from other Westminster venues?

Church House Westminster is distinct from Central Hall Westminster and other nearby venues. It's a Grade II listed building with views of Dean's Yard and Westminster Abbey, offering carbon-neutral status and award-winning in-house production team support for creative event production.