Kathleen Lonsdale/Abraham Darby/George Bradshaw at Friends House

Room hire rates vary by specific room within the Business space. For example, the Waldo Williams 1 costs £595.00 (VAT exempt) for 09:00-17:00 and accommodates up to 16 guests boardroom style. The Marjorie Sykes room costs £975.00 for 08:30-17:00 and accommodates up to 28 boardroom style. All venue hire is VAT exempt and includes complimentary water on arrival, dedicated screen or projector, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and complimentary flip chart.

Capacity varies by specific room and layout. The Waldo Williams 1 accommodates up to 16 guests in boardroom style, while the Marjorie Sykes room can accommodate up to 28 boardroom style. The Ada Salter Suite 1-2 can accommodate up to 22 cabaret style. All Business space rooms are designed for smaller meetings, workshops, and training sessions rather than large events.

Standard venue access is typically from 08:00/08:30 to 17:00, with some rooms offering 09:00-17:00 access. Events can run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The venue does not appear to offer extended hours or overnight access for Business space bookings based on the standard packages offered.

Full day catering packages include: £47.00 inc VAT per person (welcome tea/coffee and pastries, mid-morning tea/coffee and biscuits, deli buffet lunch, afternoon tea/coffee and cake, still and sparkling water) or £52.00 inc VAT per person (same as above but with hot finger food buffet lunch instead of deli). A Full day Premium package is available at £39.00 net per person including working lunch. All packages include organic coffee, teas, and infusions throughout the day.

Final food orders need to be confirmed with significant advance notice. For short-notice bookings, final food orders must be submitted at least 8 days before the event date. This applies to all catering packages and cannot be changed after the deadline.

No, external catering is not allowed. Friends House has a strict policy that all food and beverage must be provided by their in-house catering team. They offer a wide variety of food and drink options through their own catering menus to accommodate different dietary requirements and preferences.

Friends House does not serve alcohol. However, they offer a wide range of non-alcoholic options including organic coffee, teas, infusions, still and sparkling water, and various non-alcoholic beverages. All catering packages include comprehensive non-alcoholic drink options throughout the day.

All Business space rooms include a dedicated screen or projector, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and flip chart as standard with no additional charges. Some rooms are equipped with PA systems and built-in speakers. The AV equipment is included in the room hire cost and is VAT exempt along with the venue hire.

Yes, the Business space can accommodate hybrid events. Some rooms offer hybrid options and PA systems for remote conferencing. All rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi access as standard, and the venue can provide microphones and audio equipment to facilitate remote participation in meetings and workshops.

Rooms are not automatically held and remain available for others to book until confirmed. To hold a room in the diary, you must specifically request this and complete a new customer form if you're a first-time client. The venue requires confirmation to secure your booking, and spaces can be booked by others while you're considering your options.

There are no specific minimum spend requirements mentioned for Business space rooms. However, some larger spaces like The Light Auditorium require a minimum of 110 people and are only available on a full day basis. The Business space rooms appear to be designed for smaller groups without minimum guest requirements.

Budget expectations vary significantly based on room size and requirements. For smaller rooms, expect £595-£975 for room hire plus £39-£52 per person for catering. The venue has indicated that budgets under £200 for room hire may not be accommodated, and they cannot always meet very low budget requirements depending on group size and space needs.