Business

Dining

Weddings

What are the exact venue hire costs for the Council Room dining space?

The Council Room hire costs £1,750 VAT exempt for evening events from 6pm until 10pm, with organiser access from 5:15pm. Additional hours after 10pm cost £500 VAT exempt per hour. There is a minimum evening catering spend of £1,000 + VAT that applies to all bookings.

What is the maximum seated dining capacity for the Council Room?

The Council Room can accommodate up to 70 guests maximum for seated dining. This is a firm capacity limit that cannot be exceeded for safety and comfort reasons.

What are the catering costs for a three-course dinner?

A three-course dinner costs £66.50 + VAT per person, which includes one starter, main, and dessert option for all guests plus vegetarian/vegan alternatives. Wine packages start at £17 + VAT per person for half a bottle of house wine and unlimited mineral water, or £27 + VAT per person for two glasses of prosecco on arrival plus wine and water.

Are there restrictions on using external suppliers for catering or other services?

Yes, the venue has a dedicated list of Approved Suppliers for Audio Visual, Production, and Floristry, plus Recommended suppliers. Use of any third-party suppliers outside this approved list must be agreed in writing by the venue management before booking confirmation.

What additional costs apply for Christmas events in December?

December bookings operate on a first-to-confirm basis due to high demand. The venue offers a Festive Dinner & DJ package at £145 + VAT per person (minimum 55 guests) which includes arrival drink, three-course dinner, wine, entertainment, and festive decorations including a 12-foot Christmas tree in the lobby.

What are the booking deposit and payment requirements?

A 50% deposit invoice is sent upon receipt of the signed hire agreement. You must wait to receive the official invoice before making payment as you'll need to quote the invoice number. If a PO number is required, it must be provided before the deposit invoice is generated to avoid booking confirmation delays.

Can the Council Room connect to other spaces for drinks receptions?

Yes, the Council Room has a door connecting to the Music Room on the Number 11 side, making it perfect for events requiring a separate drinks reception space before dinner. For larger events, it can also be paired with the Barnard Room for pre and post-dinner drinks.

What are the setup times and access arrangements for dining events?

For evening dining events, venue access begins at 5:15pm for the organiser, with the event running from 6pm until 10pm as standard. For day events, access starts at 8:15am for organisers with events from 9am. Earlier access at 7:30am can be arranged, and catering service before 8am incurs an additional £300 + VAT per hour charge.

Are there any seasonal discounts or special offers available?

Yes, the venue offers a winter discount of £1,000 off venue hire for weddings taking place in October or November. They also provide up to 20% discount on venue hire for last-minute bookings, though this is at management discretion.

What catering options are available beyond the standard three-course dinner?

Additional options include pre-dinner canapes at £17.50 + VAT per person, welcome drinks from £8 + VAT per person for prosecco (£12 + VAT for champagne), and post-dinner nibbles. The venue can accommodate special dietary requirements and offers South Asian inspired catering through their partner Searcys, though they specify they are not specialists in South Asian cuisine.