5 London Venues That Provide More Than Just The Venue

Posted by Ben Crook on 25 May 2018

Due to the competitive nature of fundraising events, its now important than ever for a venue to provide more than just the event space itself. Having multiple parts of the event planning process provided by the venue, can be an effective way of streamlining your event by removing the need to outsource multiple elements. Having these elements provided as part of a centralised package will go a long way to tying everything together, decreasing the amount of people you need to get on board with your ideas, and increasing the likelihood of success!

There are many elements of your fundraising event that could benefit greatly by making use of in house teams, such as in-house caters who are familiar with the layout, understand access restrictions and have handled any issues that may have arisen in the past, or design teams who can really give your event that bespoke feel.

With this in mind, here are just a few venues in London that can provide more than just the venue:

1) The Savoy

Location: Strand, London, WC2R 0EZ

Nearest station: Embankment & Temple Station

Capacity (dining): Up to 380 guests

The Savoy is one of London’s prime stops for many events including luncheons, dances and dinners. This unique venue has its own stage meaning you wont have to source your own. The Lancaster Ballroom has no pillars, which is great if you plan to display the auction on screens across the room.

They are also experts in making event technology effortless by being partnered with PSAV (certified leader in the conference service field). They offer the finest technology, quality assurance and creative expertise that can take your event to the next level by ensuring continuity and consistency from the initial planning all the way through to the execution and closure. Inevitably raising more for your cause!

Finally, an in-house creative floral team is available to create any floral decoration from bouquets, table decorations, or room decorations to provide that final touch of elegance.

2) 8 Northumberland Avenue

Location: 8 Northumberland Ave, Westminster WC2N 5BY

Nearest station: Embankment & Charing Cross Station

Capacity (dining): 450 500 guests

8 Northumberland Avenue is London’s most central venue who pride themselves on exceeding in wow moments. This venue invests into ground breaking technology to make events even more remarkable, including 3D holographic projection that is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

The venue also offers a state of the art Intelligent lighting system with daylight and mood settings that come with the ability to sync videos and sounds with lighting pattern. To make your event even more personalised you will have access to Video Display Mirrors that will give you that bespoke feel! You’ll be in good hands with the AV/Screen supplier, Blue Hut Production, who has extensive knowledge of production solutions and have a large amount of experience in the venue creating bespoke events.

8 Northumberland work with London event caterers and event management company AlchemyLive, who are known for delivering exceptional events and original menus. Having worked with some of the worlds largest companies (Coca-Cola and Sky), they have tons of experience with delivering out-of-the ordinary events. AlchemyLive state that Unique events deserve unique menus and they are able to match the food and drinks to your event theme or company’s branding.

3) The HAC

Location: Chiswell St, EC1Y 4TW

Nearest station: Moorgate Station

Capacity (dining): Up to 350 guests inside / 1500 guest buffet in the Artillery Garden / 950 guests dining

The HAC is one of the largest capacity permanent venues in the city, with the largest garden at 5.5 acres. The Artillery Garden outdoor space provides the perfect location for large events taking place in Summer. This venue also has spaces suitable for the other seasons with its luxurious ballrooms and a purpose-built marquee, surrounded by the background of the historic Armoury House and London’s iconic buildings. perfect for wowing your guests!

The HAC can also help with the production of your event by providing their sound and AV systems, lighting, and a high-quality DJ system, making your event planning process much easier. Having the venue provide this service reduces the number of tasks you’ll have to juggle, whilst having the experienced and demonstrated knowledge of the staff on hand.

4)Madame Tussauds

Location: Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, NW1 5LRY

Nearest station: Baker Street Station

Capacity (dining):Up to 350 – 380 guests

Madame Tussauds is a different and unusual event space that can bring a unique atmosphere to your day. It provides virtual reality facilities, you can look around each room without having to be there! Highlighting 360-degree images of four individual event set ups including the main entrance, a drinks reception set up in the party area, dinner dance in the world stage, and cocktail party spaces, VR can go a long way to help you figure out what the finished space will look like, potentially saving you time and money!

Merlin Events are the team behind the venue who provide a fantastic event management service, complete with hostess, security, and technical teams. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with a number of top caterers who provide food and drink that is sure to impress your guests! Having a team that have worked together before can make the event a much smoother process.

You can also light up the building with your brand or theme colours to give a real wow factor. LCD screens are also provided so you don’t need to hire them, helping to keep costs low!

5) The Ivory Vaults

Location: Ivory House, St Katharine Docks, E1W 1BP

Nearest Station: Tower Hill Station

Capacity (Dining): Up to 450 guests

The Ivory Vaults is not like other iconic London venues. Immersed within Ivory House at St Katharine Docks, this venue has a great location with fantastic transport access. The Ivory Vaults has an experienced onsite AV production team as well as full event management and theatrical production teams, who are all highly experienced in delivering interactive and memorable events. This team will know what will work best for the venue and have had experienced at a wide range of bespoke events with a great range in themes in the past, meaning no idea is impossible!

Lastly, the Ivory Vaults can provide catering options from formal dining, buffet, canaps, shared platters, bowl or finger food, outsourcing different food catering options wont be an issue.

Having a cohesive event will help create an unforgettable atmosphere that will go a long way in increasing funds raised at your event. By choosing the right venue, your event will run smoothly without the hassle of trying to coordinate too many people, as well as create an energy that your donors cant stop talking about!

Would you like to receive more fundraising advice? Subscribe to our blog!

Ben Crook

Chief Operating Officer

Ben is at the forefront of every project in Givergy, listing and actioning constant improvements across the business. With over a decade of experience in the charity and events sector he brings a deep understanding of what the fundraising industry needs to operate effectively and efficiently.