Business

Events

Film and Photo

What are the exact room hire rates and what's included in the base price?

Room hire rates vary by space and duration, with examples including £595 for Waldo Williams 1 (9am-5pm, up to 16 guests boardroom), £850 for Ada Salter Suite 1-2 (9am-5pm, up to 22 cabaret), and £975 for Marjorie Sykes room (8:30am-5pm, up to 28 boardroom). All venue hire is VAT exempt and includes complimentary water on arrival, dedicated screen or projector, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and complimentary flip chart.

What are the catering package options and pricing?

Full day catering packages are available at £47 per person (including welcome tea/coffee/pastries, mid-morning tea/coffee/biscuits, deli buffet lunch, afternoon tea/coffee/cake, still and sparkling water) or £52 per person (same as above but with hot finger food buffet lunch instead of deli). A premium package is available at £39 net per person including working lunch. All catering prices include VAT.

Is external catering allowed and what are the restrictions?

External catering is not allowed at Friends House. The venue has a wide variety of food and drink options available through their in-house catering service only.

What are the standard operating hours and access times?

Standard venue access is typically from 8:30am-5pm or 9am-5pm depending on the space. Meeting spaces are available from 9am-5pm, with some flexibility for extended hours depending on requirements and availability.

How far in advance do catering orders need to be confirmed?

Final food orders need to be confirmed with sufficient notice - for example, orders needed to be confirmed by 8th January for a 16th January event. This suggests approximately 8 days advance notice is required for catering arrangements.

What AV equipment is included and what additional options are available?

All rooms include a dedicated screen or projector as standard. Larger spaces like Benjamin Lay Suite include projector, lectern, roving microphones, PA system, and hybrid options. The Light Auditorium can accommodate up to 1,000 guests and has its own entrance and reception area.

Are there minimum guest numbers or spending requirements for bookings?

The Light Auditorium has a minimum requirement of 110 people and is only available on a full day basis. Budget requirements vary significantly - some enquiries under £200 were declined as being outside the venue's budget range.

What is the booking process and how are spaces held?

Spaces are not automatically held and remain available for others to book until confirmed. To hold a room in the diary, you need to confirm your booking requirements. New customers must complete a new customer form as part of the booking process.

Does Friends House provide accommodation or dinner services?

Friends House does not offer accommodation or dinner services. The venue focuses on daytime meetings and events, and does not provide evening dining options.

What are the capacity limits for different room layouts?

Capacity varies significantly by space and layout: Ada Salter Suite accommodates up to 22 cabaret style, Waldo Williams 1 up to 16 boardroom, Marjorie Sykes room up to 28 boardroom, Benjamin Lay Suite up to 70 cabaret or 154 theatre (with additional 80 theatre or 42 cabaret breakout space), and The Light Auditorium up to 1,000 guests.