Business

Events

What is the minimum venue hire cost for The Bowl at Co-op Live?

The Bowl venue hire starts at £70,000 + VAT per day, with some quotes showing £100,000 + VAT per day depending on the event requirements. This is the base venue hire cost before any additional services, catering, or equipment.

What capacity does The Bowl accommodate and what events is it suitable for?

The Bowl is designed for large-scale events requiring significant capacity, typically accommodating events with thousands of attendees. Based on enquiries handled, it's suitable for corporate conferences (1,000+ attendees), concerts, award ceremonies, and major corporate events requiring arena-scale facilities.

Are there smaller event spaces available for events under 1,000 people?

While The Bowl is the main large-scale space mentioned in correspondence, events requiring smaller capacities may need to explore other spaces within the venue. For events with hundreds rather than thousands of attendees, you should specifically enquire about alternative spaces that may be more cost-effective than The Bowl.

What are the typical catering costs for large events at Co-op Live?

Conference catering including arrival pastries, 3 tea/coffee servings, and sandwich lunch costs £30 per person per day. For drinks receptions, expect £17 per person for 3 canapé choices and £33 per person for 2-hour unlimited drinks packages including house beers, wines, spirits, and soft drinks.

Is there a setup day charge and what does it include?

Yes, there is a separate setup day charge of £30,000 + VAT for access to The Bowl and associated spaces on the day before your event. This allows time for technical setup, staging, and preparation without impacting your main event day.

What AV and technical facilities are available in The Bowl?

The Bowl offers in-house AV capabilities including staging, multiple microphone options (lapel and handheld), large screens, projectors, and professional sound systems. The venue is designed with state-of-the-art AV and exceptional acoustics, though specific technical requirements should be discussed during booking.

How far in advance do I need to book and what affects availability?

Co-op Live operates as a concert venue with confirmed shows that block certain dates entirely. You should enquire well in advance as popular dates may be unavailable due to scheduled concerts, and there's no flexibility to move around existing entertainment bookings.

What is the total cost range for a large-scale conference at Co-op Live?

For a 2-day conference with 1,000 attendees, expect total costs around £340,000 + VAT including venue hire (£200,000), catering (£60,000), drinks reception (£50,000), and setup day (£30,000). This represents approximately £170 per person per day for a comprehensive package.

Are there any restrictions on event timings or access hours?

Specific operating hours aren't detailed in available information, though events have been quoted starting as early as 07:00 and running until 23:59. Access timing, load-in schedules, and any curfew restrictions should be confirmed during the booking process as these may vary by event type.

What additional services and costs should I budget for beyond venue hire?

Beyond the base venue hire, budget for mandatory setup day charges, catering packages, drinks packages if required, and any specialized AV or staging requirements. The venue works with Rhubarb Hospitality Collection for catering services, and all prices quoted are exclusive of VAT which adds 20% to all costs.