Business

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

Venue hire ranges from £8,250-£28,750 + VAT depending on date, timing, and duration. The base price includes exclusive access to the whole venue, 16KW sound system, wireless microphones, 3x2m customizable LED screen in the lobby, and track lighting throughout. All quotes are bespoke and rates can be reduced from the £15,000-£75,000 rack rates based on timing and demand.

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

Mandatory costs include: cleaning fee £200 + VAT, security at £25 + VAT per person per hour (minimum 2 guards for setup/derig, 4 guards when live), and external supplier fee £500 + VAT if using non-approved vendors. All catering must be sourced externally as this is a dry hire venue.

What are the capacity limits for different event formats?

Ground floor gallery accommodates 300 standing, 100 dinner, or 120 theatre style. Lower gallery holds 100 standing, 50 dinner, or 70 theatre style. The Director's office seats 15 with presentation projector, and there's a private courtyard available for additional space.

What are the typical access times and how flexible are they?

Standard access varies by option: early access from 06:00-01:00 for full day hire, or later front-of-house access from 15:00-01:00 with back-of-house access starting earlier for deliveries and setup. The venue operates as a gallery daily 10:00-19:00, so later access times offer more flexible rates.

How far in advance do I need to book and what's the booking process?

Bookings are taken on a first-come basis with pencil holds available (2nd pencil, 5th pencil positions mentioned). All quotes are bespoke and require confirmation of desired dates and timings. The venue is closed for Christmas holidays from December 28-29, and December dates book up quickly with limited availability.

What AV equipment is included and what additional setup is possible?

Included: 16KW sound system ideal for background music, wireless microphones, 3x2m customizable LED screen in lobby, and track lighting throughout. The venue has extensive power infrastructure with 13amp sockets on each wall and 3-phase power on both floors, allowing for additional AV setups and production equipment.

Can I customize the space and what are the restrictions?

The venue can be transformed into a blank canvas for production-heavy events, with ability to drill into walls, paint walls, and apply vinyl to windows for branding. External branding requires estate team approval. Artwork removal fees may apply depending on current exhibitions, though often waived.

What catering and vendor options are available?

This is a dry hire venue requiring external catering from their list of accredited F&B suppliers who provide everything from bowl food and canapés to luxurious theatre dinners, custom cocktails, and open bars. They also provide lists of recommended AV and production suppliers, though external suppliers incur a £500 + VAT fee.

Are there any seasonal pricing differences or restrictions?

December dates command premium pricing due to high demand, with rates that cannot be reduced below quoted levels. The venue is closed December 28-29 for Christmas holidays. Summer and other periods may offer more flexible pricing, and 2025 will introduce more versatile packages with flexible pricing during select months.

What security requirements are mandatory for events?

Security is mandatory at £25 + VAT per person per hour. Minimum 2 security guards required during setup and derig periods, with 3-4 guards required when the event is live. Security costs vary based on total event duration and must be factored into your budget from the start.