Dining

Events

What are the venue hire costs for different spaces and time periods?

Foyle 1 costs £1,730 +VAT for day hire, Foyle 2 costs £1,260 +VAT, and the Atrium costs £3,790 +VAT for evening hire (access from 17:30). Combined spaces cost more - Foyle 1 and 2 together cost £2,530 +VAT for 09:00-17:00, while Foyle 1, 2 and Atrium together cost £6,320 +VAT for full day hire. The Boardroom costs £1,010 +VAT for evening hire, and Café 2 costs £3,430 +VAT.

What are the capacity limits for each event space?

Foyle 1 accommodates 100 guests in theatre style, Foyle 2 seats 100 theatre style or 80 cabaret style (10 tables with 8 guests each). The Atrium can host up to 150 guests for standing receptions, while the combined Foyer and Atrium spaces can accommodate up to 300 guests for seated dinners or standing receptions. The Boardroom seats up to 24 guests at the boardroom table.

What AV equipment and staging is included in the venue hire?

Foyle 1 includes a projector, large screen, built-in speakers, lectern, staging and microphones within the hire fee. Foyle 2 has two projectors and screens that can work in tandem, plus modular staging, lecterns and microphones. The Atrium and other spaces can provide staging, microphones and uplighters. All spaces have HDMI connections available with Mac adaptors if needed.

Are there mandatory security costs for certain bookings?

Yes, events on Mondays when the museum is normally closed require mandatory security at £187 +VAT to have the main doors opened and manned throughout your hire. This is approximately £20 per hour and covers having a security officer present. This cost is separate from the venue hire and requires a separate agreement.

What are the catering arrangements and who provides food service?

All daytime catering is provided exclusively by in-house partners Searcys, and you must use their catering manager for quotes and arrangements. For evening events, you can choose from a list of approved caterers or use Searcys. Catering is arranged directly with the providers and is not included in venue hire costs.

What discounts are available and for which organizations?

Registered charities receive a discount on venue hire fees. For example, the combined Foyer and Atrium evening hire is quoted at £4,352 +VAT for charities (reflecting the discount), compared to the standard £3,790 +VAT for Atrium alone. The exact discount percentage varies by space and booking.

What are the access times and restrictions for evening events?

Evening hire provides access from 17:30 when the museum closes to the public. Day hire typically runs 09:00-17:00, though specific timings can be arranged. The museum is normally closed on Mondays, so Monday bookings require additional security arrangements and costs.

How many exhibition stands can be accommodated and what power is available?

A maximum of 30 exhibition stands can be accommodated across Foyle 2 and the Atrium - 16 stands in Foyle 2 and 14 in the Atrium. Each space has numerous power outlets, and the venue can provide at least one power connection per table using extension cables that are professionally laid and taped down by the IT team for safety.

What are the delivery and courier arrangements for events?

Deliveries and collections must be booked for the day of the event only. All packages must be labeled 'FAO Venue Hire National Army Museum' so security can alert the venue hire team when items arrive. Event organizers should provide a list of expected couriers and which exhibitors they're delivering to.

What is the booking process and payment timeline?

To confirm a booking, you must complete and sign an order agreement that requires the lead contact's email and phone number, full company name, and complete company address with postcode. Once signed and returned, the finance team will send an invoice to the email address provided on the form.