Business

Dining

Events

What are the minimum venue hire costs and catering requirements?

Minimum venue hire is £8,000 ex VAT for weekend bookings. Catering has a minimum spend of £69.50 per person with a minimum of 250 guests (£17,375 total). For smaller events, there's a minimum catering spend of £2,500 ex VAT for 100 guests, and some quotes show £41.50 per person minimums depending on the event type.

Which spaces are typically used together for different event sizes?

For large events (250+ guests), the Assembly Hall serves as the main space with Hoare Memorial Hall and Bishops Partridge Hall for catering and drinks. For smaller conferences, the Harvey Goodwin Suite is used as the main space with Robert Runcie Room for catering and Temple Room as breakout space. The Assembly Hall, Hoare Memorial Hall, and Bishops Partridge Hall are often hired together as a package.

What are the standard AV package costs and what's included?

Assembly Hall AV package costs £4,794 ex VAT and includes 4K laser projector, large projection screen, 8-speaker sound system, microphones, stage lighting, and engineers. Harvey Goodwin Suite AV is £2,796 ex VAT with LCD projector, screen, sound system, and lighting. Convocation Hall AV is £1,830 ex VAT with 95" LED screen and basic sound system.

How far in advance do I need to book and what dates are typically unavailable?

Popular dates like September 23rd, October 21st, and June 26th in 2025 are already fully booked, indicating high demand. The venue appears to book up well in advance, particularly for autumn dates. It's recommended to have flexible dates as specific requested dates are often unavailable.

What are the capacity limits for the main event spaces?

The Assembly Hall accommodates up to 600 guests in a single space and can be set up theatre style for 350 or cabaret style for smaller numbers. The Harvey Goodwin Suite holds up to 180 theatre style. The Hoare Memorial Hall is used for catering and can accommodate 250 standing for receptions.

Are there additional costs beyond venue hire and catering?

Yes, AV packages are mandatory extras starting from £1,830 ex VAT for basic setups. Weekend bookings incur additional fees, with AV packages adding an extra £500 per package. All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT (20% additional). Setup access the evening prior costs extra, with one quote showing £11,940 ex VAT for 3-hour evening access.

What catering options and pricing are available?

Day Delegate Rates (DDR) start from £59,400 for 500 guests (£118.80 per person) including room hire, arrival refreshments, mid-morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch. Individual catering items include breakfast, coffee breaks, and various lunch options. Drinks receptions start from £29.50 ex VAT per person.

Can the venue accommodate filming and what's the process?

Yes, the venue accepts filming enquiries, but these are handled by a separate colleague (Ben) who specializes in filming bookings. Filming requests are processed differently from standard event bookings and require separate consultation for rates and availability.

What are the typical event timings and access hours?

Standard event hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm, with some events extending to 6:00pm or 7:00pm for drinks receptions. Evening events can run until 11:00pm or midnight. Setup access is available the evening prior (typically 6:30pm-9:30pm) for an additional fee, with venues requiring clearance by 10:00pm or 11:00pm.

Is there flexibility if my budget is lower than the minimums quoted?

The venue does ask about budget flexibility when quotes exceed client budgets, as seen when a £5,000-£6,000 budget was insufficient for their standard packages. However, they appear to work within constraints where possible, suggesting some negotiation may be available for certain events or dates.