Dining

Events

Film and Photo

What are the venue hire costs for evening events and what's included?

Evening venue hire varies by space: Council Room £1,650 (VAT exempt) for 6:30pm-10pm accommodating up to 48 guests for dinner, Library £3,500 (VAT exempt) Monday-Friday 6:30pm-10pm or £6,000 (VAT exempt) weekends, and Marble Hall & Gallery £3,000 (VAT exempt) Monday-Friday 6:30pm-10pm. Combined Library + Marble Hall & Gallery costs £4,950 (VAT exempt) for 6:30pm-10pm. Time extensions beyond 10pm cost an additional £550 (VAT exempt).

What are the capacity limits for different event setups?

Council Room accommodates up to 48 guests for dinner on round tables or 30 on long tables with reception space inside. Library holds up to 120 guests for seated dinner but guests won't all see screens due to U-shape layout. Marble Hall & Gallery accommodates up to 200-210 for standing receptions. For 50+ guests requiring dinner with drinks/dance space, you'll need Library (£3,500) or Marble Hall & Gallery (£3,000).

What are the weekend booking requirements and costs?

Weekend events require minimum hire charges due to the venue not usually being open weekends. Minimum weekend hire is £6,000 (VAT exempt) for 8-hour access between 8:30am-10pm, including setup, technician if required, and on-site event manager. This provides exclusive hire for the day/evening and covers one of the main spaces.

Who provides catering and what are the restrictions?

All catering must be provided by approved suppliers - Company of Cooks for in-house catering, or Blue Strawberry and Food by Dish for weekend/evening events. Guests can go off-site for food but cannot bring external food back into the venue. All catering prices are subject to VAT, and suppliers provide bespoke quotes based on requirements and budget.

What audio-visual equipment is available and what are the costs?

AV equipment includes PA System (up to 2 handheld mics and/or bluetooth connectivity) £198, LED screen £165, staging block £55, laptop £66, lectern £22, flipchart £22 each. Full hybrid package with 85" screen, HD camera, sound and microphones costs £275. All AV prices are subject to VAT and include technical support from specialized AV technicians.

Can decorations be set up prior to events and what are the setup arrangements?

Decorations can be arranged in the hall prior to events. Weekend bookings include 8-hour access between 8:30am-10pm with setup time included and an on-site event manager. For weekday events, specific setup arrangements would need to be discussed as part of your booking, with time extensions available at additional cost if needed beyond standard hours.

What are the booking lead times and budget requirements?

The venue takes bookings up to 12 months ahead and has indicated they decline very last-minute and low-budget requests. Weekend minimum hire is £6,000 (VAT exempt), suggesting this is their threshold for viable events. Provisional holds can be placed on dates while finalizing details, and contracting can begin once requirements are confirmed.

Are there restrictions on event types or specific requirements for weddings?

The venue can host wedding receptions and dinners but cannot host wedding ceremonies. For weddings requiring 48 people for dinner, the Council Room becomes full of tables with no space for drinks or dancing. Larger weddings need Library or Marble Hall & Gallery spaces, with different pricing structures and the ability to have separate areas for dinner and reception.

What cloakroom facilities are available and how are they staffed?

A cloakroom is available located next to the Marble Hall & Gallery. You can choose between unmanned/self-service or fully staffed service options. Specific pricing and details for staffed cloakroom service are available upon request as part of your event planning.

What are the standard event hours and extension costs?

Standard evening events run 6:30pm-10pm for most spaces. Weekday full-day hire runs 8:30am-5:30pm, with half-day options 8:30am-1pm or 2pm-5:30pm. Weekend events get 8-hour access between 8:30am-10pm. Time extensions beyond standard hours cost an additional £550 (VAT exempt), allowing events to continue later into the evening.