Business

What are the room hire rates and minimum booking requirements for business meetings?

Room hire rates vary by space and day: Dame Deirdre Hine room costs £990 per day (36 capacity classroom), Marcus Beck Library costs £900 per day (30 capacity U-shape), Heritage Centre costs £440 per day (17 capacity boardroom), and Wheatley Room costs £1,800 per day (72 cabaret/80 theatre/38 boardroom). Weekend bookings require a minimum spend of £3,000 plus VAT. All prices are subject to VAT and quotes are valid for 5 days only.

What are the catering minimums and per-person costs for business events?

Minimum catering numbers vary by room: 15 people for Dame Deirdre Hine and Marcus Beck Library, 10 people for Heritage Centre, and 30 people for Wheatley Room. Tea/coffee with biscuits costs £4.30 per person per serving, tea/coffee only costs £3.95 per person, and working lunch costs £26.25 per person. Working lunch packages including 3 tea/coffee breaks cost £38.85 per person.

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

LCD screens are included in most rooms, and video conference kits are included in Marcus Beck Library and Heritage Centre. Additional equipment costs: laptops £150, video conference kit £90 (where not included), flipchart with pens £40, PA system with 2 handheld microphones £250, and AV technician for full event support £950.

What are the venue's operating hours and access restrictions?

The venue operates during standard business hours with events typically running 08:00-17:00 for day meetings. Evening events can run until 22:00 maximum, with service ending at 22:00 to allow guests to depart. The venue is closed on certain dates and access outside standard hours may have restrictions.

Can external food and drink be brought into the venue?

No external food or drink is allowed into the venue. All catering must be provided by the venue's in-house catering team. This policy applies to all meeting rooms and event spaces without exception.

What are the capacity limits and setup options for different meeting rooms?

Heritage Centre accommodates 17 people in boardroom layout, Marcus Beck Library seats 30 in fixed U-shape, Dame Deirdre Hine room holds 36 classroom/60 theatre/34 boardroom, and Wheatley Room accommodates 72 cabaret/80 theatre/38 boardroom. Some rooms have fixed layouts that cannot be changed.

Are there any special environmental restrictions for certain meeting spaces?

Yes, the Heritage Centre is temperature controlled at exactly 20°C to preserve antique books stored in the room, and this temperature cannot be altered. The room also contains very old books in storage, which may affect the ambiance and usage requirements for certain types of events.

What is the booking process and how long are spaces held without confirmation?

Quotes are valid for 5 days and spaces are not automatically held during the quote period. If you want the space held temporarily while considering the quote, you must specifically request this. Site visits can be arranged to check room suitability, and it's recommended to visit before confirming your booking.

What technical connectivity options are available for hybrid meetings and streaming?

Rooms have ethernet ports available around the space for wired internet connections, which is essential for live streaming cameras that require cable connections. Video conference kits are included in some rooms or available for £90 hire, and the venue can accommodate hybrid meeting requirements with proper advance notice.

What multi-day booking options and rates are available for extended training courses?

Multi-day bookings are available with daily rates applied per day. For example, Dame Deirdre Hine room costs £990 per day for extended bookings like 13-day conferences (30th November to 12th December including weekends). However, the venue may not accommodate very long-term bookings like 4-week training courses Monday-Friday.