At the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Conference and Events Team is at your service. We provide an exceptional level of support for our quality venues. Our industry awards, accreditations, repeat business and customer feedback pay tribute to our achievements of which we are justifiably proud. Please get in touch if you would like to meet us and view the venues. We would be delighted to show you our facilities, share our expertise and partner you in the presentation of your event.
Speak to a member of our sales team who can assist you with booking your perfect event.
We have a range of experienced suppliers who can help to bring your event to life.
What is the process for hiring a venue?
Please contact our sales team if you would like to book a date for your event. Dates can be held provisionally for a maximum of 2 weeks. You will be sent a booking application form which you will be required to complete and return to the sales team in order to confirm your booking. You will also receive full details of our terms and conditions, including cancellation fees. Once your booking has been confirmed you will be invoiced for a deposit for the venue hire. The deposit is payable immediately in order to secure your booking. The full balance is required at least one month before the date the hiring commences, or immediately if the hiring is to commence within three months of the booking being made.
What your hire includes
- A dedicated Events Manager to support and assist in lead up to your event
- A Duty Manager on the day of your event
- Exhibition tables, banquet tables, coffee tables and conference chairs
- PA system with microphones for speeches and background music in the Great Hall and Small Hall
- Controllable ambient lighting in the Great Hall and Small Hall
- Screen and Projector (excluding laptop)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- DVD/CD player (on request)
- Plasma screen (on request)
- Dance floor in the Great Hall and Small Hall (on request)
- Staging (on request)
- Noticeboards
- Poster boards
- Lectern
- Flip charts
- Performing Rights Society fees
- Phonographic Performance Ltd music fee
Cost of venue hire
- Committee Room prices start from £360 + VAT
- Hall prices start from £1040
- Please contact our Sales Team for further information at [email protected] or 020 7361 2220
Payment Procedure
- The full venue hire charge is payable immediately if your event is to commence within three months of the date the booking is confirmed.
- A 25% venue hire deposit is payable immediately if your event is to commence more than three months but less than one year after the date the booking is confirmed.
- A preliminary 10% venue hire deposit is payable immediately and a further 15% venue hire deposit (making a total Hire Deposit of 25%) is payable one year before the date of your event if the event is to commence more than one year after the date the booking is confirmed.
- The full balance of the charge must be paid at least three months prior to the start of the Event and if it is not the Council may cancel the hiring and retain any sum already paid.
Code of Conduct
It is essential that the following rulings are strictly observed to ensure the smooth running and success of your event. We pride ourselves on providing our best standard of service so that you and your guests may have a great experience when visiting our venues.
Event details
Provide full details of your event (room layouts, delegate numbers, floor plans, audio visual requirements, etc.) a minimum of two weeks prior to the date of your event. Please inform the Conference and Events team of any changes to the agreed schedule at your earliest opportunity.
External suppliers
Arrange a site visit for your external suppliers (caterers/live band/set builders) so that they can be briefed on the venue facilities and equipment in advance.
Audio Visual (AV) requirements
An AV technician must be hired for large/high profile events where several microphones are required. The Conference and Events team can provide a quote and arrange the technician on your behalf.
Live entertainment
Ensure your live entertainment suppliers provide their own sound systems and speakers. Live music must not exceed sound levels above 90Db, a cut out is installed on all playback equipment to ensure this and we advise that you schedule a sound check before your event. Please be aware that only background music can be played through the venue systems.
Notices and decorations
No adhesive substances (tape, labels, blu‐tack, etc.) must be fixed to any part of the building, including the furniture, fittings, floor and ceilings. We can provide approximately 25 poster boards and 4 signage stands if you would like to put up notices, signs and decorations.
IT equipment
Check that your equipment (laptops, music devices) are compatible with the Conference and Events equipment. A VGA or HDMI connection is required for the projectors at Kensington Conference and Events Centre and Chelsea Old Town Hall.
Onsite and offsite times
Allow enough time to set-up before the start of your event and to pack-up after the end of your event. You will not be allowed onto the premises before the start of your hire period and you must vacate the premises by the end of your hire period. You will forfeit your Damage Deposit if you do not vacate the premises on time.
Prohibited items
These items are strictly prohibited at our venues: | These items may be allowed with pre-approval from the Events Team: |
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Parking
There are limited parking facilities at the venues.
- Kensington Conference and Events Centre has a forecourt for loading and unloading only, people with disabilities may, on request in writing to the Supervising Officer, be permitted to set down or pick up on the forecourt. There is a public car park below the Town Hall for all other vehicles.
- Chelsea Old Town Hall has 3 parking bays, 2 are provided for Main Hall hirers and 1 for Small Hall hirers. There is a small public car park with 50 spaces at the lower end of Sydney Street. On-street parking is allowed in metered bays in nearby side streets.
Loading and Unloading
It is now mandatory to have a minimum of two Vehicle Marshals for ALL exhibitions, bazaars, fairs and public sales events to control any vehicle loading or unloading and ensure that local residents have priority access. They should be identified with high visibility jackets provided by the Conference and Events team. If you have a large amount of stock, we advise you to hire Porters to assist with carrying the items in and out of the building in a timely manner. The Conference and Events team will arrange Vehicle Marshals on your behalf.
Disposal of rubbish
If using a skip, bottle banks or any of the venues disposal areas, please ensure disposal is done between the hours of 10:00–18:00 to avoid noise disturbance to local residents.
Vacating the premises
It is your responsibility to ensure that all attendees leave the premises in a quiet and orderly manner to avoid noise disturbance to local residents. We advise you to make a formal announcement and put up notices regarding this at the end of your event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kensington Conference and Events Centre and Chelsea Old Town Hall
How many people can the venue hold?
Kensington Conference and Events Centre - up to 812 seated or 1,000 for a standing reception.
Chelsea Old Town Hall – up to 667 seated or 670 for a standing reception (full venue)
Do you have an in-house caterer or can I provide my own?
At Kensington Conference and Events Centre and Chelsea Old Town Hall all clients are required to use a caterer from our approved list. Where specialist or ethnic food is required, an application for a catering waiver may be submitted. Full details are available on request.
What are the hire periods?
Access is permitted from 08:00–23:59 hours at Kensington Conference and Events Centre and Chelsea Old Town Hall. A 2-hour extension to 02:00 hours is available at Kensington Conference and Events Centre.
How much does it cost to hire the venue?
A quotation is available on request.
Kensington Conference and Events Centre
Meeting Room prices start from £360 + VAT for a half day meeting
Small Hall prices start from £1230 + VAT for a weekday hire
Chelsea Old Town Hall
Small Hall prices start from £875 (VAT exempt) for a weekday day hire
What is included in the hire?
The hire of the venue, Duty Manager support, furniture and audio visual support subject to availability. Additional services can be provided on request.
What about Disability Access?
All parts of the venues are accessible by wheelchair, with the exception of the balcony areas.
How easy is it to travel to the venues by public transport?
The Kensington Conference and Events Centre is a two-minute walk from High Street Kensington underground station and Kensington High Street is served by many bus routes.
The Chelsea Old Town Hall is close to Sloane Square underground station and is served by numerous bus services to the venue.
Is on-site parking available?
Kensington Conference and Events Centre has a forecourt for loading and unloading only, people with disabilities may, on request in writing to the Supervising Officer, be permitted to set down or pick up on the forecourt. There is a public car park below the Town Hall for all other vehicles.
Chelsea Old Town Hall has 3 parking bays, 2 are provided for Main Hall hirers and 1 for Small Hall hirers. There is a small public car park with 50 spaces at the lower end of Sydney Street. On-street parking is allowed in metered bays in nearby side streets.
Are you licensed to hold Civil Ceremonies /Partnerships?
Yes, both venues are licensed. You will also need to contact the Register office, contact details 020 7361 4100 or email [email protected].
What is the earliest I can access the venue?
Kensington Conference and Events Centre and Chelsea Old Town Hall venue access is from 08:00 hours.
Can deliveries and collections be made before or after my event?
We are unable to accept deliveries before the day of your event due to lack of storage, all collections must be made by the end of your occupancy.
Are charity discounts available?
Discounts are only available to registered charities operating solely within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and for the direct benefit of the residents.
Promotional discounts are run through selected periods and are offered to clients on our mailing list.
Are animals or pets permitted on site?
Regrettably, only guide dogs are permitted on site.
Orangery, Holland Park
How many people can the venue hold?
For weddings and corporate events – up to 100 Theatre style, 80 dinner/lunch and 150 for a standing reception.
Is on-site parking available?
Pay and display parking in the Abbotsbury Road Car Park is available. Mon-Sun from 7.30am-6.30pm.
Do you have an in-house caterer or can I provide my own?
All clients are required to use a caterer from our approved list.
Who will look after us on the day?
Your appointed caterer’s events team will receive you on the day and will be on hand throughout. The parks police also on site managing the park as a whole, ensuring safety.
Is the venue licensed for civil ceremonies?
Yes, the Orangery is licensed for civil ceremonies. You will also need to contact the register office contact details 020 7361 4100, [email protected].
What is the earliest I can access the venue?
09:00. On approval, set-up of the venue may commence slightly earlier.
What are the hire periods?
Access is permitted from 09:00–23:30 hours.
Can deliveries and collections be made before or after my event?
We are unable to accept deliveries before the day of your event due to lack of storage, all collections must be made by the end of your occupancy.
How much does it cost to hire the venue?
Prices are available on request.
What is included in the hire?
The venue comes as dry hire; all furniture is hired through our caterers only.
Are animals or pets permitted on site?
Regrettably, no.
How easy is it to travel to the venues by public transport?
The Orangery is only a 15-minute walk away both from High Street Kensington underground station or from Holland Park underground station. It is served by numerous bus routes to the venue: 9, 10, 27, 28, 31, 328, 49, C1, 94, 148, 228.
Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is not permitted within the Orangery.