Business

Dining

Events

What are the minimum booking costs and guest requirements for business events?

The venue has a minimum spend requirement of £2,000 + VAT for most bookings. For dinner events, there's a 70-person minimum requirement, with room hire starting at £1,200 + VAT for the Council Chamber and £2,000 + VAT for the Dorchester Library. Day delegate rates start from £84 + VAT per person with minimum guarantees typically required.

What spaces are available for corporate meetings and conferences?

Key business spaces include the Council Chamber (100 theatre capacity), Dorchester Library (180 theatre capacity), Wolfson Theatre (300 auditorium seating), and various smaller meeting rooms like the Linacre Room and Sloane Room (50 people each). The venue also offers the Osler and Long Room for catering and networking.

What are the standard operating hours and access times?

Standard event hours are typically 09:00-17:00 with complimentary access from 07:00. Earlier access from 05:00 is available at £250 + VAT per half hour. The venue is closed for refurbishment during the entire month of August.

What catering packages are available for business events?

Day delegate rates include 3 refreshment breaks with hot and cold drinks plus sweet and savoury bites, plus lunch (hot fork buffet, bento boxes for up to 100 people, or bowl food options). Dinner packages offer 3-course meals with half bottle of wine at £70-£74 + VAT per person. Drinks receptions cost £22 + VAT per guest for unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks with nibbles.

What AV equipment and technical support is included?

Theatre packages start at £2,000 + VAT and include projection screens, 12,000 lumens projectors, conference lecterns, confidence monitors, laptops, PA systems, 12 microphones (6 cabled, 6 radio), hearing induction loops, theatrical lighting, and expert technical support from 08:00-17:00. Smaller rooms include plasma screens, with additional screens available at £150 + VAT.

Are there restrictions on event content or activities?

The venue requires knowing the topic of events to ensure they adhere to the values of the Royal College of Physicians. Inflatables are not permitted in the garden areas. The venue appears to decline events that don't align with their institutional values or have insufficient budgets.

What are the booking and payment procedures?

The venue offers first option holds on spaces, but if another enquiry comes in, clients have 48 hours to make a decision or the booking moves to a second option waitlist. Specific payment terms and deposit requirements are not detailed in the available information.

Is the venue available for daytime corporate events?

The venue appears to have limited daytime availability, with some communications indicating they "cannot offer the daytime" for certain requests. Evening events seem to be more readily available, with access typically from 6pm for dinner events.

What capacity limits apply to different room configurations?

The Wolfson Theatre accommodates 300 in auditorium seating, Dorchester Library fits 180 theatre style, Council Chamber holds 100 theatre style, and smaller breakout rooms like Linacre and Sloane accommodate 50 people each in theatre configuration. Cabaret and other layouts may have different capacities.

Are there discounts available for charities or educational institutions?

The venue offers charity rates, with day delegate rates reduced from £93 to £89 + VAT for qualifying organizations. Student discounts may be considered on a case-by-case basis, though the venue has declined some student requests due to budget constraints.