Arts

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Events

What are the venue hire costs and what's included in the base price?

Full day hire (08:00-00:00) costs £13,000 + VAT, 12-hour hire costs £10,000 + VAT, and 6-hour hire costs £8,750 + VAT. The base price includes exclusive hire of the Main Hall, North Annexe, Mezzanine, Organisers Office, Kitchen, and Café, plus extensive furniture (491 banqueting chairs, 160 trestle tables, 44 round tables), dedicated Wi-Fi, staffing (two cloakroom attendants, one security guard, ops staff), and pre/post event cleaning. Additional hours cost £750 per hour.

What is the maximum capacity and are there any restrictions on guest numbers?

Lindley Hall has a maximum standing capacity of 700 people. For events requiring larger capacity, Lawrence Hall can accommodate up to 900 for dinner, but it's only available during Westminster School holidays as it's leased by the school. The venue is 875 sqm² with a glass-vaulted ceiling 14.75m high at the highest point.

What are the mandatory additional costs not included in the venue hire?

Additional costs include: hardwired 1GB internet at £1,000, late date change admin fee of £500 (for changes within 1 month), TENS licence extension at £1,000 per hour (for events until 2am Monday-Saturday, 1am Sunday), North Annexe projector and AV at £800, modular stage at £300, and supplier buyout fees as applicable. Unauthorised left items incur £750 per hour storage costs.

What are the catering arrangements and supplier requirements?

Royal Horticultural Halls operates as a dry hire venue, meaning you must use their approved list of caterers and AV/production suppliers. They provide brochures with approved suppliers including Asian caterers for specific dietary requirements. You cannot bring your own catering - all food and beverage must be arranged through their approved supplier network.

What are the standard operating hours and setup/breakdown timeframes?

Standard venue hours run from 08:00 to 00:00 for full day hire. Setup typically requires access the evening before events, and breakdown needs several hours post-event for furniture clearing and cleaning. The venue can accommodate extended hours with additional fees, and TENS licence extensions allow events until 2am Monday-Saturday or 1am Sunday at £1,000 per hour.

What cooking facilities and power requirements are available for food events?

The venue includes a kitchen facility and can accommodate various cooking stations including frying equipment, pasta boilers, induction hobs, and electric pizza ovens. However, specific power requirements and the number of cooking stations available depend on your event setup and must be confirmed with the operations team during planning. Storage facilities are very limited.

How far in advance should I book and what is the booking process?

The venue can place dates on hold for a 1-month period while you finalize details. For confirmed bookings, they require specific timing details including setup start time, event start/end times, and breakdown completion time to provide accurate pricing. Payment terms include both deposit and balance invoices, and late date changes within one month incur a £500 admin fee.

What AV and technical capabilities are included versus additional costs?

Basic venue hire includes hoist and truss systems, dedicated Wi-Fi (1gb/s up/download), and venue furniture. Additional AV costs include: North Annexe projector and AV package at £800, hardwired 1GB internet at £1,000, and modular stage with steps, rails, and ramp at £300. For complex AV requirements, you must work with their approved production suppliers.

Are there any restrictions on event types or activities allowed in the venue?

The venue accommodates a wide range of events including conferences, exhibitions, fashion shows, gala dinners, and product launches. Cooking demonstrations and food festivals are permitted with proper planning. However, specific restrictions on activities, noise levels, or equipment must be confirmed with the operations team, and all suppliers must be from their approved list.

What accessibility features and location advantages does the venue offer?

The venue is located at 80 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PE in central London, making it easily accessible by public transport. As a Grade II listed building, it must be fully wheelchair accessible. The venue is described as one of the largest uninterrupted floor spaces in Central London with abundant natural light from the glass-vaulted ceiling, which can be fully blacked out if required.