Events

What are the room hire rates and capacity limits for events at University of London Venues?

The Senate Room costs £1,800 for 8:00-17:00 hire and accommodates up to 80 people in tiered seating. The Woburn Suite (G22/26) is £1,400 for 12:00-17:00 hire with theatre layout up to 90 people maximum or cabaret layout up to 50 people maximum. When booking Beveridge and/or Macmillan Hall, the Crush Hall reception space is included at no additional cost.

What catering packages are available and what do they cost?

Day Delegate Rate (DDR) packages start at £70 per person and include venue hire from 08:00-18:00, standard AV package, dedicated hospitality space, arrival refreshments, mid-morning refreshments, sandwich lunch, and mid-afternoon refreshments with cake. Individual catering items include tea/coffee/biscuits at £4.75+VAT per person, working lunch at £15.50+VAT per person, sharing platters from £19.95+VAT per person, and hot/cold buffet at £23.95+VAT per person. A 1-hour Senate drinks package costs £15.95 per person.

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

The venue cannot accommodate events starting before 08:00, as confirmed when declining a request for 06:00 start time. Standard venue hire typically runs from 08:00-18:00, though some quotes show availability until 23:00 for evening events. Additional charges apply for catering service outside standard hours, including weekends.

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

Standard AV package includes laptop/PC, data projector, screen, internet access, lectern, PA system, and 2-3 microphones with AV technician assistance during setup. For additional AV requirements beyond the standard package, you must contact ConferenceCast/Torpedo, the approved UoL AV provider. The venue can provide complimentary screen with projector for basic presentations.

What forms and processes are required to confirm a booking?

All bookings require completion of attached events application and due diligence forms for review and approval before handover to a dedicated event manager. These forms are mandatory even for provisional holds and allow the venue to quote more accurately. The venue will allocate a dedicated event manager and hospitality manager once booking is confirmed.

Can external caterers be brought in and are there restrictions?

The venue offers hospitality services in partnership with Gather and Gather, which has a three-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association. While some quotes mention catering flexibility, specific policies on external caterers are not detailed in the available information. You would need to discuss this directly with the events team during the application process.

What are the payment terms and VAT charges?

Venue hire is VAT inclusive, while catering and security/services charges are subject to additional VAT charges at 20%. The venue provides detailed quotes breaking down DDR rates per person and combined rates for room hire and catering. Specific payment timelines are not detailed but would be outlined during the booking confirmation process.

What happens if the venue cannot accommodate my preferred date?

The venue frequently experiences high demand and lack of availability, particularly in June 2025 and other peak periods. When dates are unavailable, they will suggest alternative dates - for example, offering Tuesday 5th May 2026, Monday 11th May 2025, or Tuesday 12th May 2025 as alternatives. They encourage completing application forms for alternative dates to provide more accurate quotes.

Are there capacity limitations for specific room layouts and requirements?

The venue cannot accommodate 40 people in classroom format with proper desk space, as confirmed when declining a request for participants needing writing surfaces throughout the day. Theatre layout accommodates more people than cabaret layout - for example, the Woburn Suite fits 90 people theatre-style but only 50 in cabaret format. Room furniture includes small flip-top tables better suited for tablets rather than laptops.

What contact information should I use for urgent enquiries or bookings?

For urgent enquiries, contact uolevents@london.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7862 8104. The Event Sales Manager Bharat Dave can be reached at 0207 660 8177 (telephone) or 07960 019 754 (mobile). The venue is located at University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU, UK.