Business

Dining

What are the exact hire rates for the Exhibition Hall and what additional costs should I budget for?

The Exhibition Hall costs £1,788 + VAT per build-up day and £3,575 + VAT per event/open day. You must also budget for mandatory cleaning contribution of £425 + VAT, plus staffing costs including stewarding at £18.50 + VAT per person per hour (6-hour minimum), and first aid at £185 + VAT per day (8-hour minimum). Public liability insurance with minimum £5 million cover is required.

What staffing is mandatory and what are the exact hourly rates?

All staffing has 6-hour minimums at £18.50 + VAT per person per hour: stewarding, car park attendants, event support, and cloakroom staff. Security roles cost more: SIA Security at £26.80 + VAT per hour, SIA Licensed Supervisors at £28.30 + VAT per hour, and CCTV Operators at £31.50 + VAT per hour. All rates are subject to annual increases from April 1st and charged at double time on bank holidays.

What is the maximum capacity for corporate events and what space do I get?

The Exhibition Hall provides approximately 1,400m² of ground floor exhibition space with natural daylight. For smaller corporate events, individual suites like the Desert Orchid Suite accommodate up to 72 guests in cabaret layout, while the venue can handle conferences for up to 500 delegates theatre-style in the Premier Suite.

What catering options are available and are there minimum spends?

Catering has minimum spends that vary by event (quoted as POA - price on application). The venue offers internal catering services, or you can bring external caterers but must provide health, safety, and hygiene certificates plus licenses for any bars. Day delegate rates start from £50-60 + VAT including arrival refreshments, mid-morning/afternoon breaks, and finger buffet lunch.

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

Basic packages include projector, screen, flipchart, and pens. Additional AV costs £60 + VAT for lapel microphones, £250 + VAT for large screen/projector upgrades, £250 + VAT for staging, and £395 + VAT for a full-day AV technician. Built-in PA systems are complimentary in some suites.

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

The venue operates on a hold system where spaces can be held as first option while clients make decisions. Popular dates book out well in advance - for example, November 2025 dates were already unavailable when enquired about in earlier correspondence. Contact the events team directly to check availability and secure holds on preferred dates.

What are the setup and breakdown arrangements?

Build-up days are charged separately at £1,788 + VAT per day for the Exhibition Hall. The venue accommodates setup requirements and suppliers arriving in vans, with good transport access available. Breakdown can typically occur the evening of the event or the following morning, though specific arrangements should be confirmed during booking.

Are there capacity limitations for different event types?

The venue cannot accommodate events requiring 700 guests with 500 seated due to kitchen facility limitations for that scale. However, they can handle 500 theatre-style in the Premier Suite, 350-400 delegates for conferences, and various smaller corporate events in individual suites ranging from 12-72 people depending on layout.

What parking and transport options are available?

The venue has its own on-site railway station providing direct routes to and from London Waterloo. Complimentary car parking is included with most packages, and car park attendants are available at £18.50 + VAT per hour with a 6-hour minimum if required for larger events.

What restrictions apply to external suppliers and entertainment?

External catering requires health, safety, and hygiene certificates plus licenses for bars. The venue can accommodate live bands and entertainment with appropriate staging available for £250 + VAT. All external suppliers and arrangements must be approved by the venue's event management team during the planning process.