Business

Dining

Events

What are the venue hire costs and minimum spend requirements?

Venue hire varies by space and day, with the Assembly Hall costing £8,580 for weekdays (8:30am-5pm). Weekend bookings have minimum spends of £8,000 excluding VAT. Catering has minimum spends ranging from £2,500-£11,620 depending on guest numbers, with per-person minimums from £41.50-£69.50 excluding VAT.

What spaces are available and what are their capacities?

Key spaces include the Assembly Hall (664 theatre, 208 cabaret), Hoare Memorial Hall (250 standing), Harvey Goodwin Suite (180 theatre), Convocation Hall (100 theatre), and Bishop Partridge Hall (150 standing). Multiple spaces can be combined, with the Assembly Hall serving as the main conference space and other halls used for catering, exhibitions, or breakout sessions.

What are the standard operating hours and access times?

Standard venue hire runs from 8:30am-5pm on weekdays, with evening extensions available until 6pm-7pm for drinks receptions. Setup access can be arranged the evening prior (typically 6:30pm-9:30pm) for an additional £11,940 excluding VAT, with venues cleared by 10pm.

What AV packages are available and what do they cost?

Standard AV packages range from £1,830-£4,794 excluding VAT depending on the space. The Assembly Hall package (£3,995 ex VAT) includes 4K laser projector, 5.6m projection screen, 8-speaker sound system, microphones, stage lighting, and technical engineers. Weekend bookings incur an additional £500 per AV package.

What catering options and pricing are available?

Day Delegate Rates start from £49,500 for 500 guests including room hire, arrival refreshments, mid-morning/afternoon breaks, and fork buffet lunch. Alternative options include hot fork buffet at £52 per person or full DDR at £65.50 per person. Drinks receptions start from £29.50 per person excluding VAT.

How far in advance do I need to book and what dates are typically unavailable?

Popular dates like September 23rd, October 21st, and June 26th get fully booked well in advance. The venue operates a second-option system for preferred dates. It's recommended to have flexible dates as availability can be limited, particularly for autumn conference season.

What are the payment terms and booking process?

The venue requires proposals to be reviewed and confirmed before proceeding with bookings. Site visits can be arranged with sales executives, and calendar invites are sent for confirmed appointments. Specific payment terms and deposit requirements are detailed in individual proposals sent to clients.

Are there any restrictions on event types or special requirements?

The venue accommodates various event types including conferences, award ceremonies, product launches, and corporate events. Boxing events and filming enquiries are handled by specialist teams. All events must comply with venue policies, and specific restrictions or requirements are outlined in individual proposals.

What additional services and fees should I budget for?

Beyond venue hire and catering minimums, budget for mandatory AV packages, potential weekend surcharges (£500 extra per AV package), setup access fees (£11,940 for evening prior), and VAT at 20% on all services. Some quotes mention additional options like extra speakers for gallery overflow at £420.

What support is provided for event planning and coordination?

Dedicated sales executives like Charlotte Brumby and Marina Papadopoulou handle enquiries and provide detailed proposals. The venue offers site visits, space planning advice (suggesting optimal room combinations), and coordination with their catering partner Searcys. Technical support includes sound engineers and AV technicians on event days.