Business

Dining

Events

What is the minimum number of guests required for bookings?

All meeting spaces and banqueting bookings require a minimum of 30 people for meetings and 50 people for banqueting events. Groups smaller than these minimums cannot be accommodated at the venue.

What are the Day Delegate Rate packages and pricing?

Day Delegate Rate packages start from £53 per person and include main suite hire, arrival tea/coffee with pastries, mid-morning refreshments, finger buffet lunch, afternoon tea/coffee, projector and screen, flipchart, Wi-Fi, and complimentary car parking. Premier DDR packages are available at £64 + VAT with enhanced catering options.

Can I bring my own caterer or use external catering?

The venue does not operate on a pure dry hire basis and external catering is not normally allowed on site. You must use either the venue's in-house catering or one of their contracted preferred caterers who will quote for both room hire and catering as part of their package.

What are the capacity limits for different event layouts?

The Blue Riband Room can accommodate up to 224 people in cabaret style seating. The Diomed suite can hold up to 500 people in theatre style layout, while smaller spaces like the Downs View suite accommodate 60 people cabaret style and the Gallops suite holds 48 people cabaret style.

What additional room hire fees apply beyond the delegate packages?

Room hire fees vary by space - the Mezzanine area costs £1,000 ex VAT, breakout rooms range from £300-£1,800 ex VAT (often discounted when booking multiple spaces), and catering spaces incur a £2,000 ex VAT hire fee for events requiring separate dining areas.

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

Basic AV including projector, screen, and built-in PA system is complimentary with delegate packages. Additional equipment costs extra: lectern and microphone £90, standalone microphone £70, medium stage £350, and DJ with dance floor £400 ex VAT.

What are the pricing options for Christmas parties and evening events?

All-inclusive dining packages start at £76 per person including VAT, covering room hire, arrival bubbly, three-course seated meal, tea/coffee, staffing and security. Half bottle of wine per person can be added for £18.75, or you can upgrade to premium wine options at additional cost.

Are there capacity limitations for large events requiring kitchen facilities?

The venue's kitchen facilities in the largest halls cannot service events requiring seated capacity for very large numbers. Events requiring 500+ seated guests with full catering service may not be accommodated due to kitchen capacity constraints.

What spaces are available for events requiring both presentation and exhibition areas?

The venue can provide the Diomed suite for presentations (500 theatre style) combined with the Oaks Hall for exhibition stalls. However, very large exhibitions requiring 10,000-12,000 square feet of space cannot be accommodated within the venue's current facilities.

What are the booking requirements and staff availability?

The National Sales Manager works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday only. Events requiring extensive planning should account for these working days when scheduling meetings and finalizing arrangements with the sales team.