Business

Dining

Events

What are the room hire costs and minimum spend requirements for The Common Room?

The Common Room has three pricing options: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM costs £3,600 + VAT with £3,000 minimum spend on food and drinks; 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM costs £2,300 + VAT with £1,500 minimum spend; and 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM costs £2,750 + VAT with £5,000 minimum spend. All prices exclude VAT and the minimum spend is mandatory.

What are the capacity limits for different seating arrangements in The Common Room?

The Common Room can accommodate up to 96 guests cabaret style with catering served in the room, 144 guests cabaret style with catering in a different room, 150 theatre style with catering in the room, 180 guests seated on round tables with stage setup, or up to 244 theatre style with catering and breaks in an adjacent space. Maximum capacity with stage is 244 guests theatre style.

What catering options and pricing are available through the in-house provider?

All catering is provided exclusively by Graysons, the in-house caterer. A two-course dinner costs £57 + VAT per person, and various package options are available including DDR packages starting from £60 + VAT per person for conferences and ceremony packages at £52.50 + VAT per person (minimum 300 guests). External catering is not permitted.

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

Standard AV package costs £400 + VAT and includes stage, screen/projector, two repeater screens, lectern with lectern microphone, and handheld microphone. Basic AV with screen, projector, and one handheld microphone costs £300 + VAT. All AV equipment must be hired through the venue and external AV providers are not mentioned.

What are the booking hold periods and payment requirements?

The venue offers provisional holds for 7 days at no cost while clients make their decision. Specific payment terms and deposit requirements are not detailed in the available information, but bookings require confirmation within the hold period to secure the date.

Are there restrictions on weekend bookings and what are the minimum spends?

Weekend bookings have significantly higher minimum spends starting from £10,000 + VAT, as the building is usually closed on weekends. The venue is more flexible with pricing and minimum spends for weekday events, making weekday bookings more cost-effective for smaller events.

What time slots are available and are there setup access provisions?

Standard time slots include 9:00-17:00, 13:00-17:00, and 18:00-23:00, with some evening events extending to midnight. Early access for organizers is typically provided 1 hour before the event start time (e.g., 17:00 access for 18:00 events, 08:00 access for 09:00 events) at no additional charge.

What additional services are included in event packages?

Most packages include dedicated event team, security, complimentary Wi-Fi, digital and directional signage, personalized welcome digital signs, cloakroom facilities (usually unmanned), filtered water throughout the event, and registration table setup. Uplighters for ambience are included in dinner packages.

Are there seasonal restrictions or special considerations for certain times of year?

The on-site restaurant does not serve food throughout the month of August, which may affect catering options during this period. Christmas-themed events are available with special decorations, theming options, and festive menus, with packages starting from £147-£172 + VAT per person depending on requirements.

What are the policies for decorations, entertainment, and external suppliers?

The venue provides Christmas decorations and theming for seasonal events, and works with external suppliers for additional entertainment, DJs, and decorations. Photo booths are available from £950 + VAT. Specific policies on bringing external decorations or entertainment suppliers are not detailed in the available information.