Business

Events

Weddings

What are the room hire costs and minimum catering requirements for business events?

Room hire varies by space and timing - the Great Room costs £3,000-£7,140 + VAT depending on duration, Prince Philip room is £1,400 + VAT for evening hire, and Queen Elizabeth II room is £1,150 + VAT for day hire. All spaces require minimum catering spends ranging from £600-£1,100 + VAT that must be met with food and beverage purchases. Weekend events require approximately £12,000 + VAT to open the house.

What are the capacity limits for different event setups in the main spaces?

The Great Room accommodates up to 180 theatre style, 80-100 cabaret, 200 reception, or 130 dining. Benjamin Franklin room holds 100 theatre, 48 cabaret, 150 reception, or 90 dining. Prince Philip room fits 56 theatre, 40 cabaret, 60 reception, or 50 dining. Queen Elizabeth II room is smaller at 30 theatre, 21 cabaret, 40 reception, or 30 dining.

How long can dates be held and what are the booking confirmation requirements?

Dates can be held for up to two weeks while you decide on the venue. If they need a decision sooner, they will give you 48 hours to either confirm with a signed contract or release the date. Confirmation requires a signed contract within the specified timeframe.

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

The Great Room AV package costs £940-£1,182 + VAT and includes data projector, screen, stage, lectern with microphone, 1 handheld microphone, surround sound and AV technician support for up to 8 hours. Additional handheld or lapel microphones cost £68-£75 + VAT each, and wireless uplighters are £22-£25 + VAT each (maximum 16, subject to availability).

Does RSA House allow external catering or dry hire arrangements?

No, RSA House does not offer dry hire and does not permit any external catering. All food and beverage must be provided through their in-house catering services, and venue hire always includes mandatory minimum catering spends that must be met.

What are the standard event timing options and access hours?

Standard day hire runs from 8:30am-5pm, while evening events typically run 6pm-11pm. Events can extend later with additional charges - venue hire extensions from 12am-1am cost £2,250 + VAT, and 12am-2am cost £4,500 + VAT. Setup access is typically included before event start times.

What Christmas party packages are available and what do they include?

Christmas packages range from £143-£239 + VAT per person depending on the space and inclusions. Packages typically include exclusive venue hire, sparkling wine reception, three-course Christmas menu, half bottle of wine per person, tea/coffee, uplighting, DJ service, dance floor, private cloakroom, and unlimited drinks packages for 2 hours (9:30pm-11:30pm).

Are there restrictions on event types or content that RSA House will host?

Yes, RSA House requires detailed vetting including 20 specific questions about your organization, event purpose, speakers, attendees, and alignment with RSA's mission and values. They assess whether events align with their vision for social change and may decline bookings that don't meet their criteria or involve controversial content.

What spaces work together and how are they typically combined for events?

The Great Room and Benjamin Franklin room work hand-in-hand, with Benjamin Franklin serving as the catering space directly beneath the Great Room. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II rooms adjoin each other on the first floor. The Vaults offer four interconnecting spaces with their own Strand entrance, accommodating up to 220 reception style.

What additional services and equipment can be hired beyond basic AV?

Additional services include flipcharts with pens (£15 + VAT each), TV screens (£200 + VAT each), armchair hire (£50-£55 + VAT per chair with limited availability), and various catering upgrades. All additional AV equipment is subject to availability and additional charges beyond the standard packages.