Business

Dining

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

The venue has a minimum spend requirement of £2,000 + VAT for most bookings, even for half-day events lasting only 4 hours. All prices are subject to VAT at 20%, and the venue requires confirmation of the event topic to ensure it aligns with Royal College of Physicians values.

What room hire rates apply for different spaces and event types?

Council Chamber costs £1,000-£1,200 + VAT (reduced rates available), Dorchester Library costs £2,000-£2,700 + VAT (reduced rates available), and other meeting spaces have varying rates. Rates can be reduced for certain events, and charity rates may be available at £89 + VAT per person for conferences.

What are the catering costs and minimum requirements?

Three-course dinner with half bottle of wine costs £70-£74 + VAT per person with a 70-person minimum. One-hour drinks reception (beer, wine, soft drinks, nibbles) costs £22 + VAT per guest. Day delegate rates for conferences start from £84-£105.60 + VAT per person with minimum guarantees of 80-200 delegates depending on the package.

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

The venue cannot offer daytime bookings for certain spaces. Events typically have access from 6pm for evening functions. Complimentary access is available from 7am, with earlier access from 5am available at £250 + VAT per half hour. The venue is closed for refurbishment during the entire month of August.

What capacity limits apply to different event spaces?

The Wolfson Theatre accommodates 300 people in auditorium seating, Dorchester Library seats 180 theatre-style, Council Chamber holds 100 theatre-style, and various smaller meeting rooms accommodate 20-50 people. Minimum guest requirements apply for certain packages, typically ranging from 70-200 people depending on the event type.

What AV equipment and technical support is included?

Basic AV packages cost £2,000-£2,400 + VAT and include projection screens, 12,000 lumens projectors, conference lecterns, multiple microphones, PA systems, and expert technical support from 8am-5pm. Some rooms include plasma screens, while others require additional AV hire at £150 + VAT.

What restrictions apply to garden and outdoor events?

Inflatables are not permitted in the garden areas. Garden and medicinal garden hire costs £2,500 + VAT with a minimum spend of £69 + VAT per guest. BBQ and pizza packages are available for 3-hour events with unlimited drinks, but all tickets must be pre-ordered with no door sales allowed.

How does the booking process work and what are the hold periods?

The venue offers first option holds on spaces, but if another enquiry is received, clients have 48 hours to make a decision or the booking moves to a second option waitlist. Site visits can be arranged to view the facilities before confirming bookings.

What budget ranges should clients expect for different event types?

The venue regularly declines bookings with budgets under £2,000 + VAT. Small conferences for 100 people typically cost £8,800-£10,800 + VAT, while larger events for 200+ people range from £15,000-£25,000 + VAT including catering and AV. Christmas parties for 350 people require budgets around £25,000.

What additional costs and services should be factored into budgets?

Catering requests before 8am incur an additional £250 + VAT per hour charge. Overnight setup after 11pm is available subject to application and additional costs. Cloakroom facilities are complimentary with most packages, and dedicated event managers are included in day delegate rates.