Arts

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Events

What are the venue hire costs and what's included in the base price?

Full day hire (08:00-00:00) costs £13,000 + VAT, 12-hour hire costs £10,000 + VAT, and 6-hour hire costs £8,750 + VAT. The base price includes exclusive use of Main Hall, North Annexe, Mezzanine, Organisers Office, Kitchen, and Café, plus extensive furniture (491 banqueting chairs, 160 trestle tables, 44 round tables), two cloakroom attendants, one security guard, ops staff, and cleaning. Additional hours cost £750 per hour.

What is the maximum capacity and are there any restrictions on guest numbers?

Lindley Hall has a maximum standing capacity of 700 people. For events requiring larger capacity, Lawrence Hall can accommodate up to 900 for dinner, but it's only available during Westminster School holidays as it's leased by the school. The venue is 875 sqm² with a glass-vaulted ceiling 14.75m high at its highest point.

What mandatory additional costs should I budget for beyond the base hire fee?

All prices exclude VAT at 20%. Optional extras include hardwired 1GB internet (£1,000), TENS licence extension for events past midnight (£1,000 per hour up to 2am Monday-Saturday, 1am Sunday), North Annexe projector and AV (£800), modular stage with steps, rails and ramp (£300), and late date change admin fee (£500 for changes within 1 month of original date).

Can I bring my own caterers and what are the supplier requirements?

This is a dry hire venue that works with an approved list of caterers and AV/production companies. You must use suppliers from their approved list, and supplier buyout fees apply if you want to use non-approved vendors. The venue provides brochures with approved suppliers including Asian caterers for specific dietary requirements.

What cooking facilities are available and what restrictions apply?

The venue includes a kitchen facility and can accommodate various cooking stations including frying equipment, pasta boilers, induction hobs, and electric pizza ovens. However, there are very limited storage facilities on-site. All cooking arrangements must be coordinated through approved caterers and comply with venue safety requirements.

What are the setup and breakdown time requirements?

Setup times vary by event complexity but typically require several hours before the event start time. The venue quotes include time for pre and post-event cleaning. For events ending at midnight, you'll need additional time for breakdown and clearing furniture, which may extend several hours past the event end time.

What AV equipment and technical facilities are included?

The venue includes dedicated Wi-Fi of 1GB/s up/download, hoist and truss system, and basic venue infrastructure. Additional AV like North Annexe projector costs £800, and you'll need to hire projectors and screens separately for back projection capabilities. The venue can accommodate large AV setups due to its high ceilings and technical infrastructure.

Are there any time restrictions or licensing limitations I should know about?

Standard venue hours run 08:00-00:00 for full day hire. Extensions beyond midnight require TENS licence extension at £1,000 per hour (up to 2am Monday-Saturday, 1am Sunday). The venue can accommodate events requiring early morning setup or late evening breakdown, but additional hourly charges of £750 apply for time outside standard hire periods.

What furniture and equipment is provided with the venue hire?

Extensive furniture is included: 491 banqueting chairs, 160 trestle tables, 44 round tables (5ft 6in), 8 poseur tables, 503 exam desks, 10 café tables, 40 café chairs, 13 pipe & drape units, 11 wooden screens, 70m curtain coverage, 3 double-decker coat rails, and 1 lectern. The venue also provides hoist and truss systems for technical setups.

How far in advance do I need to book and what is the payment process?

The venue can place dates on hold for a 1-month period while you finalize details. Payment involves both deposit and balance invoices, with specific payment timelines that must be met. Late date changes within 1 month of the original event incur a £500 admin fee, subject to availability.