Business

What are the dry hire rates for business events and what's included?

Dry hire packages start from £10,000.00 inclusive of VAT. Room hire includes meeting room hire, pads and pencils, free comprehensive Wi-Fi throughout the site, and chilled conference mineral water inside the room. Specific rates vary by room - for example, the Cambridge Suite is £530.00 VAT exempt (reduced from £1,390.00), and the Dorset Suite is £2,200.00 VAT exempt (reduced from £4,429.00).

What are the Day Delegate Rate (DDR) packages and pricing?

DDR packages range from £55.00 to £87.00 per person inclusive of VAT (reduced from £129.00-£189.00). The package includes room hire 09:00-17:00, air-conditioned room with daylight, superfast Wi-Fi, water throughout the day, pastries and smoothies on arrival, yogurt and granola pots, energising lunch, free-flowing tea and coffee, flipchart, and 3000 lumen LCD projector with 8'x6' screen. Minimum numbers typically apply - for example, 10 people minimum for the £55.00 rate.

What room capacities are available for different meeting setups?

Room capacities vary significantly by space and setup. For example, the Dorset Suite accommodates up to 60 delegates in classroom style, Cambridge Suite holds up to 24 in boardroom style, and Boardroom 2 fits up to 13 in boardroom style. The Grand Hall can accommodate up to 400 in cabaret style or 650 in theatre style. All meeting rooms have natural daylight, disabled access, and are located on various floors throughout the venue.

Are there restrictions on ticketed events and ticket sales?

For ticketed events, all tickets must be pre-purchased - the venue does not allow tickets to be sold on the night. This policy applies to all ticketed events regardless of size or type.

What additional catering and refreshment options are available beyond the DDR?

Beyond the standard DDR, additional options include unlimited tea, coffee and refreshments at £11.50 per person inclusive of VAT, energising lunch at £20.95 per person, sandwich lunch at £12.95 per person, bacon or egg bap at £4.95 per person, and Danish pastries at £4.00 per person. Tea, coffee and refreshments are also available per serving at £3.95 per person inclusive of VAT.

What AV equipment is included and what are the upgrade costs?

Standard DDR packages include a 3000 lumen LCD projector and 8'x6' screen, plus one flipchart. LCD projector and screen hire separately starts from £195.00 inclusive of VAT. Upgrades to bigger screens are available at additional charges, though specific pricing for upgrades is not specified and requires a quote from the AV supplier.

What are the booking hold periods and confirmation requirements?

The venue offers provisional space holdings and joint first options for events. Booking holds require decisions within specific timeframes - for example, one booking required confirmation by 1pm on a Thursday or the booking would be released. The venue actively follows up on provisional bookings and will release space if no updates are received regarding the event status.

Are there mandatory security charges for business events?

Security charges are compulsory for events based on guest numbers at £29.40 per hour inclusive of VAT. For 1-200 guests, 2 guards are required; 201-400 guests require 4 guards; 401-600 guests need 6 guards. There's a minimum 4-hour booking requirement, and security must be paid no later than 1 month prior to the event.

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

Standard room hire typically runs 09:00-17:00, though extended hours are available. All spaces must be vacated by 17:00 or additional de-rig charges apply. Setup times can be arranged - for example, complimentary setup from 06:00-09:00 is sometimes offered. The venue can accommodate events starting as early as 08:30 and running until late evening with appropriate arrangements.

What meeting room layouts and configurations are available?

The venue offers various layouts including boardroom style (up to 13-24 people depending on room), classroom style (up to 60 people), theatre style (up to 650 in the Grand Hall), and cabaret style (up to 400 in the Grand Hall). U-shape configurations are also available for interactive layouts. All meeting rooms feature natural daylight, disabled access, and are located on different floors throughout the building.