Business

Dining

What are the room hire costs and minimum catering requirements for business events?

Room hire varies by space and duration - for example, the Queen Elizabeth II room costs £1,150 + VAT for 8:30am-5pm with a mandatory minimum catering spend of £600 + VAT. The Prince Philip room costs £1,400 + VAT for 6pm-11pm with a £1,100 + VAT minimum catering spend. All venues require catering - dry hire is not permitted and external catering is not allowed.

What are the capacity limits for different room layouts in the business spaces?

The Great Room accommodates up to 180 theatre style, 80 cabaret, or 35 boardroom. The Benjamin Franklin room holds 100 theatre, 48 cabaret, or 35 boardroom. The Queen Elizabeth II room fits 30 theatre, 21 cabaret, or 22 boardroom. The Prince Philip room accommodates 56 theatre, 40 cabaret, or 30 boardroom.

How long can dates be held and what are the booking confirmation requirements?

Dates can be held for up to two weeks while you decide on the venue. If they need a decision sooner, they will give you 48 hours to either confirm with a signed contract or release the date. Confirmation requires a signed contract within the specified timeframe.

What AV equipment is included and what are the additional costs?

The Great Room includes a comprehensive AV package with data projector, screen, stage, lectern with microphone, 1 handheld microphone, surround sound and AV technician support for up to 8 hours at £940 + VAT. Additional handheld or lapel microphones cost £68-£75 + VAT each, and flipcharts with pens are £15 + VAT each.

What are the standard operating hours and weekend availability?

Events typically run from 8:30am-5pm during weekdays. RSA House is normally closed over weekends, so weekend events require opening the house at approximately £12,000 + VAT. Evening events can extend until 11pm with appropriate room hire rates.

What additional services and equipment can be hired?

Wireless uplighters are available from £22-£25 + VAT each (maximum of 16, subject to availability). TV screens cost from £200 + VAT each. The venue provides a PA system, and handheld/lapel microphones require the PA system to function. All additional AV equipment is subject to availability and additional charges.

What are the catering options and pricing for business events?

Day delegate rates start at £70-£84 + VAT per person including arrival refreshments, mid-morning break, lunch, and afternoon refreshments. Individual items include morning bakery selection (£10-£12 + VAT per person), fork buffet lunch (£45-£48 + VAT per person), and afternoon tea/coffee with cakes (£8.50-£10.20 + VAT per person). Water is charged on consumption at £4.50-£5.40 + VAT per bottle.

Are there restrictions on event types or content that can be hosted?

The venue requires detailed information about your organization's purpose, mission, values, and event content. You must confirm that your event aligns with RSA's vision, mission, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitments. They ask about speakers, controversial attendees, press coverage, and whether additional security is required, suggesting content restrictions may apply.

What room combinations work best for different business event formats?

The Great Room and Benjamin Franklin room work hand-in-hand, with Benjamin Franklin serving as the catering space directly beneath the Great Room. The Prince Philip room adjoins the Queen Elizabeth II room on the first floor. These combinations allow for main presentation spaces with dedicated catering/networking areas or breakout rooms for larger conferences.

What are the setup and access arrangements for business events?

Room setups include theatre, cabaret, boardroom, reception, and dining configurations. The venue provides setup as part of the hire, and rooms feature built-in equipment like plasma screens in Prince Philip room and customizable uplighters in the Great Room. Access times for setup are typically included in the hire period, with events running from 8:30am-5pm being standard.