Business

What are the room hire rates for the main meeting spaces?

The Fairclough Suite and Houghton Suite are £300 each, while the Derby Suite is £500. The Alexandra Suite (largest space) is £12,000 for events like fashion shows, but smaller meeting rooms like Stanley Suite offer half-day hire at £500 plus additional costs for equipment and catering.

What are the Day Delegate Rate packages and what do they include?

Full Day DDR is £48 per person including main meeting room 8am-5:30pm, 3 refreshment breaks with snacks, networking buffet lunch, LCD projector and screen, flipchart, jugs of water, stationery, and free WiFi. Half Day DDR is £39 per person with the same inclusions but only 1 tea and coffee service.

What are the capacity limits for different meeting room layouts?

The Alexandra Suite accommodates up to 700 theatre style, 400 cabaret (tables of 10), 350 classroom (3 per table), 500 banqueting rounds, or 100 U-shape. Smaller suites like Derby can handle approximately 50 people in theatre style layout when furniture is removed.

What AV equipment is available and what are the costs?

Standard LCD projector and screen is included in DDR packages. Upgrades cost £150 for a 7ft screen with projector, or £385 for enhanced screen and projector setup. All advanced AV is provided by Sterling Event Group as an external supplier at additional cost.

Are there restrictions on external catering or vendors?

External catering is only permitted on Sundays. For all other days, you must use the hotel's catering services. The venue requires approval processes for external vendors, and furniture can be removed from meeting spaces if needed.

What are the booking hold periods and payment terms?

Events are typically held on 'first option' for 2 weeks while you make your decision. For events approaching within 2 weeks, response times are much shorter - sometimes requiring confirmation by 3pm the same day or by specific dates like Friday 27th June by 12pm.

Can public areas like the staircase be used for events or photography?

Public areas cannot be booked or cordoned off as this affects the experience for other hotel guests. The venue cannot guarantee specific public areas would be available, so only private bookable meeting spaces can be reserved for exclusive use.

What accessibility features are available for meetings?

Some rooms like the Rolls Suite are located on the first floor and are accessible for guests who cannot use stairs. However, other spaces like Stanley Suite are stairs-only and not accessible, so accessibility varies by specific meeting room.

Are rates inclusive or exclusive of VAT?

When asked directly, the venue confirmed that their quoted rates are exclusive of VAT. You should factor in an additional 20% VAT on top of all quoted room hire, catering, and equipment costs.

What catering options are available beyond the DDR packages?

Individual items include tea and coffee with biscuits at £4.50 per person per serving, sandwich platters at £16 per person, or working lunch buffet at £21 per person. The venue can accommodate dietary requirements including halal and vegetarian options with advance notice.