Because we have 50% of our Christmas dates almost booked, now is the time to start planning!
With the #Beastfromtheeast snow blizzard that’s sweeping across London and the rest of the UK at the moment, we can’t help but feel a tiny bit Christmassy!
It may only feel like we’ve just packed away the mistletoe and eaten the last of the Christmas chocolates, yet your boss has tasked you with booking your Christmas party in 10 months’ time! We know the feeling
In the events industry, we’ve noticed, that year-on-year, an increasing number of companies have started to book their Christmas parties up to a whole year in advance. Which means, that by the time the rest of us get round to thinking about Christmas in September/October, the best dates are gone and our favourite venues are already sold out!
Thinking about your Christmas party early in the year takes the stress off of your shoulders: you get the best dates, the venue/location you desire and the best entertainment to wow your guests.
Make the 2018 Christmas Party the one the office will never forget and organise all of the core details now. By the time September comes around, you’ll be booking in your menu tasting whilst everyone else will be kicking themselves for not securing a date when you did.
Click here and let us help you win at being this year’s Christmas Party Planner. #winningatChristmas
Spitalfields Venue | Royal Over-Seas League | Rooms on Regent’s Park |
South of England Events Centre | British Library
Read More
What is this?
For most of us, we have never considered having a rehearsal dinner before our big day – it’s something we mainly see in the movies. However the USA trend is becoming more popular on this side of the pond, we have put together some key points as to why they can be a great addition to your special day.
There shouldn’t be any stress during the rehearsal dinner. This is your chance to sit back and enjoy a meal with your loved ones after all the planning and organising! It’s traditionally intimate and only the wedding party that attend to spend some time together and say thanks before the big day!
Yes! Traditionally the mother of the groom will organise the rehearsal dinner so the bride doesn’t have too. Phew!
Traditionally the wedding speeches are done during the rehearsal dinner to give those nervous speakers a chance to practice in an intimate setting.
This doesn’t need to be a huge expense and you don’t need to follow tradition. You can make it as fun and personal as you want. It’s great to have family and friends get together before the big day. You can even give the gifts that you would like the wedding party to wear on the big day!
Here at Graysons Venues, we think rehearsal dinners are a fabulous idea! That’s why we are giving away a Complimentary Rehearsal Dinner for 10 people when you book your Wedding at our Royal Over-Seas League venue! Find out more here.
So, let us organise your rehearsal dinner and we’ll pay for it, all whilst you sit back and relax!
Royal Over-Seas League, London
Read MoreWe’re dreaming of hot summer days and warm nights, sipping on a cocktail or two while watching the sun go down! And it’s got us thinking about summer parties and some of the summer party trends that we love.
Over the coming days, we will be highlighting some of our favourite party trends:
BBQ and games:
A classic but a goody. Who doesn’t love a BBQ in Summer, and as we all know, we don’t always have an abundance of hot English summer days so we like to make the most of having a BBQ whenever we can! Whether its traditional English food, American grub or a Pan-Asian twist, you can’t beat that BBQ grilled taste. Adding in some games to keep your guests entertained is always an icebreaker and makes for some hilarious photos and memories. Our team at Rooms on Regents Park specialise in creating delicious BBQs, and with a fantastic lawn overlooking Regents Park, what better way to celebrate Summer in London.
Traditional English picnic
Remember your childhood picnics; huddled up on blankets, eating sandwiches and scotch eggs, drinking a Capri sun and watching the world go by. For a relaxed, informal summer party why not recreate this; relaxing on blankets on the lawn, swapping your Capri sun for some bubbles and strawberries and some sumptuous picnic favourites. Get nostalgic, relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Beach theme
With just a few key elements, you can easily create a beach themed summer party, or you can go the whole hog and add everything in. Grab some deck chairs and a trusty ice cream cart, maybe one of those seaside cardboard cut out boards for some silly photos and decorate the bar into a tiki hut, and you’re instantly transported to the beach! Well, minus the sand and sea!……………actually I’m sure you could get sand for your party too! You could even have some of the food served in a ‘bucket and spade’ , drinks with umbrellas or have some inflatable palm trees.
At Graysons venues we have a fabulous range of outdoor spaces just waiting for you and your guests to let your hair down and relax into Summer. Just let us know your ideas and we will work with you to create your perfect summer party and really impress your guests!
Contact us now at venuesales@graysonsvenues.com to find out more about the different venues we can offer.
Read MoreAfter a (let’s be honest) overcast and rather a gloomy weekend, we’re not letting this weather hinder our dreams of a Summer BBQ! Hot on the cocktail coat-tails of our Summer Party Trends PART ONE, here are more of our Summer party trends to help get you into the mood…
A classy affair: Champagne and Oysters on the lawn
For a more sophisticated affair, why not entertain your guests with Champagne and Oysters on the lawn. Whether it’s just for a small get together after work or to make a whole evening of it, you can’t go wrong with this classy summer party. Add in some relaxing music to set the atmosphere, or perhaps some croquet to really set the tone. This year, at the Royal Over-Seas League, this is exactly what they’re doing and it’s proving extremely popular! In the heart of London with views over Green Park, this is the perfect venue to see in those summer nights.
A trip around the world
Let the food and drink do the talking and inspire your senses, transporting you around the world, with themed food stations to really whet your appetite. From South America to Italy, to Asia and India, experience all the flavours from around the world. This is a great theme and a real talking point for your guests. Why not add in decorations on each station to really enhance the theme or even have the staff dress up in traditional cultural attire. At the British Library we can host up to 400 for a reception in the outdoor terrace and terrace restaurant; plenty of space to make this theme become a reality.
Bringing the outside in
Sometimes we just can’t rely on the English weather, and sometimes we just don’t want to. What’s great about all of the above themes is you can recreate them indoors. You could even create an entire lawn indoors. Your guests could arrive and walk into an entire room filled with ‘grass’, be handed a glass of Pimms and relax in a deck chair whilst sampling a selection of BBQ treats and listening to your favourite summer tunes. Take the stress away from watching the weather every day and bring your outdoor summer party indoors. Just pick your venue!
Imagine this covered in grass, with lit up trees along the columns…? Bring the outside in at Spitalfields Venue.
Contact us now at venuesales@graysonsvenues.com to find out more about the different venues we can offer
Read More
It’s been a long time coming and we’re very excited to announce that Graysons Venues are officially launching Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at our wonderful collection of venues across London and Sussex!
Welcoming guests with a Champagne and mocktail reception in either of our stunning gardens overlooking Regents Park or Green Park or bathing in a glorious sunset on historic steps in Shoreditch; guests are sure to receive the wow factor on arrival right through to the last song of the night.
We understand the importance of food, drink and entertainment at your event, and we have spent months deliberating over hand-picked suppliers and an all-inclusive package that offers the best standards in the industry. We’re a caterer first and foremost so we will ensure that you’re guests are well fed and well looked after, hospitality is at the heart of what we do.
Our collection of venues are new to the Bar Mitzvah market, so if you’re quick, you can be the first of your friends and family to hold a celebration with us.
Book a meeting now with one of our lovely central sales team to view any (or all!) of our beautiful spaces and to discuss your upcoming Bar Mitzvah in more detail!
Read MoreAs I drove to work this morning along, as Ed Sheeran would say: “those country lanes”, I can’t help but feel lucky that not only is my commute to work fairly simple and stress-free, with none of the daily irritations of heavy traffic, it’s also taking me to a calm and quiet part of the country, Ardingly.
We are very lucky to have some of the most beautiful countryside right on our doorstep here in West Sussex. It brought to the forefront of my mind all of the wonderful team building events held here at the South of England Event Centre, how lucky they were with the fantastic weather on the day of their events, what amazing fun they had, and how great it was to watch them all bonding with each other, and laughing.
I’ve sometimes heard people call team building a pointless exercise, but I believe it’s a great tool for bringing your employees together, enjoying activities they might never normally do, and building relationships that will benefit themselves and you, all whilst leaving behind the daily grind.
It takes them from being shining stars individually to being a strong team together, with the skills to be able to think outside of the corporate box, brainstorm, and share ideas in a safe, happy environment.
The skills your team learn on team building days, are then brought back into your workplace where they can utilise the benefits and you can gain from having a productive and often more responsive team. Do you still think that team building is not for your business? I thought not……
So, let us at the South of England Event Centre help you build up your team and show you why we have the perfect location, with one of our amazing team building packages.
As an added bonus, if you book your team building day with us before 30 June 2018, we will throw in 6 tickets to see ‘Steps’ or ‘Simple minds’ at our venue this summer (T&Cs apply).
Don’t delay, get in contact today, and keep putting your team forward to build on those basics!
See you soon!
Kim
Kim Matten, General Manager
South of England Event Centre
Finally, we are seeing some sunshine and heat and when better to think about Summer parties than whilst you are enjoying the Summer weather. Parties are all about relaxing and soaking up the sunshine while sipping on a cocktail or two. Here’s a rundown of our favourite Summer cocktails to whet your appetite………..
Aperol Spritz
A favourite of our team over at the British Library. An Italian classic and popular aperitif. The vibrant colour and refreshing taste make it the perfect drink to kick off your summer party.
Prosecco, Aperol, soda water and a slice of orange served over ice
Pimm’s
You can’t really go wrong with this summer classic. A perfect accompaniment to almost any summer party choice, whether it’s a BBQ, picnic or just a few tasty canapés. Fruity, refreshing and a great option for large parties. This classic is a firm favourite at our Rooms on Regents Park venue, paired perfectly with their sumptuous BBQ menu.
Pimm’s, Lemonade and plenty of fruit and cucumber, served over ice with a sprig of mint
Pink lemonade
A delicious, fresh summer cocktail. A twist on a simple vodka lemonade but with a gorgeous pink colour and a little added sweetness. Perfect for the ladies! You’ll be sure to find the team at our Spitalfields Venue recommending this one!
Vodka, Chambord, Lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water served over ice
Hugo
The perfect summer aperitif. This light Prosecco cocktail is so delicious and refreshing. Another classic from Italy, this is a great crowd pleaser and perfect for big parties. You can’t go wrong sipping on this on the lawn of the Royal Over-Seas League, overlooking Green Park. Perfection!
Prosecco, Elderflower cordial, soda water, mint and lime served over ice
Sangria
You can’t beat this Spanish classic. A fruity, sweet delicious cocktail with plenty of punch! An ideal cocktail choice for your summer party. You’ll be dreaming of Spain with just one sip! With space for up to 30,000 people, the team at our South of England Event Centre will be serving this by the bucket load!
Red wine, fruit, sugar, brandy, triple sec and orange juice served over ice and a dash of soda water
Cuba Libre
Not only a Cuban favourite but a favourite of our Chartered Insurance Institute team! A simple rum and coke cocktail but the right amount of lime is crucial to lighten and freshen it up, defining the taste of the Cuba Libre.
Bacardi Rum, coke and freshly squeezed lime juice, served over ice
Southside Fizz
A refreshing gin twist on a mojito. Typically used with crushed mint leaves, the use of the iced mint tea gives this cocktail that extra oomph a minty depth. Your guests will be sure to all love this!
Gin, iced mint tea, lemon juice, sugar syrup and mint leaves, served over ice and topped up with soda
Moroccan spiced mint tea julep
This sweet and spicy mint tea cocktail will add that little something extra to your summer party. This cocktail is sure to be a real talking point!
Bourbon, iced mint tea, Moroccan spiced sugar syrup topped up with ice and mint garnish
For all summer party enquiries contact venuesales@graysonsvenues.com and quote ‘Summer Blog’ to get 2 for 1 cocktails on arrival to your summer party (T&CS apply) if you book by the end of May 2018. Dates are going fast so be sure to enquire now!
Read MoreYou might think you have your perfect wedding all planned out until someone asks you if you’re having a white or black light up dance floor, or what shoes are your bridesmaids are wearing? Then you realise you might have missed some of the finer details!
This is why we still strongly advise our brides (and if you’re lucky, the grooms too) to attend as many wedding fairs as possible in the lead up to their big day – here are our top 5 reasons why they can be a godsend!
Meeting the venue teams face to face and speaking about your special day will really help you narrow down your venue shortlist. This will save you precious time when planning to visit your favourite venues!
Everyone has their most important part of their wedding day. For some of us it’s finding the perfect shade of lily, for some, it’s making sure you get a bangin’ DJ!
By personally meeting the supplier you will get a great feel for wanting to work with them and the endless possibilities they can create, tailored to you personally.
We all know the importance of your Wedding Budget! After attending a wedding fair you will get an idea of costs for your dream wedding which makes planning so much easier. Also – a lot of suppliers and venues will offer a discount if you book after meeting them at the fair, so bonuses all round!
Listening to the specialists at Wedding Fairs can be a huge advantage when planning the day. From insider knowledge about which food and wine to what song gets everyone up dancing (including Grandad!) you’ll be guided through it from the venues and suppliers!
Everyone you speak to will give you brochures and images to take away for you and your partner to read. This will save you so much time instead of trawling through internet pages plus, you might even pick up one or two tasty goodies on the way!
Join us at our Royal Over-Seas League venue for our Wedding Open Evening on Monday 14th May 2018, 6 pm until 8 pm. We will be opening the doors of this unique and elegant members club in the heart of Mayfair.
Join us by RSVPing to tfenner@rosl.org.uk
Read MoreSome of you may have already had the pleasure of speaking or emailing with these lovely ladies, but if you haven’t then certainly get in touch and let them help you create the perfect event at the Royal Over-Seas League.
Patricia is mother goose within the office – leading her team with a firm but caring hand and great skill in developing the whole team.
Growing up in Portugal, Patricia learnt to cook in her grandmother’s kitchen and always spreads this passion to the group by having treats delivered to the office on a (very) regular basis.
Patricia started her events career in hotels and quickly worked her way up in sales roles in a number of fantastic London venues, finally finding her home at The Royal Over-Seas League.
When she’s not in the office, her two dogs Chubbs and Stanley get the rest of her attention; they’re her two babies. Patricia may be slight in stature but when we say she’s the archetypal passionate Mediterranean then we’re not exaggerating – her personality is certainly larger than life!
If you want someone with an encyclopaedic knowledge of events then Patricia is your gal.
_____________________________________________________________
Tara is originally from Eastbourne and moved to London in 2007 to study Art Management. She was successful after graduating and began working for Merlin Entertainments where she coordinated events across some of the UK’s greatest tourist attractions. After her time with Merlin she then went on to create corporate events at ZSL London Zoo before joining the Graysons Venues Team at the stunning Royal Over-Seas League.
Tara is very bubbly and has a very fun personality which is why she has such a passion for unique venues and creating amazing events! When she is not planning events, Tara spends her time supporting her favourite football team and during summer months she can usually be found at a music festival!
Tara is our Wedding guru and she always goes the extra mile to make sure the Bride and Groom have the perfect day. Tara is our little ray of sunshine and the office peace-maker.
Tara will also be at our upcoming Wedding Open Evening on Monday 14 May, 6pm-8pm – so do say hello.
_____________________________________________________________
Demi is our fresh pea in the office… and when we say Tara is bubbly well, Demi is the whole magnum of bubbly and extremely funny! Demi is a Londoner with her roots in Fulham and now living in trendy Notting Hill.
Demi is spoiled rotten as she is the only child however if you ever want to find her she will be with her four-legged brother Tim in the park. She used to play for Fulham girls football team and she is a Chelsea fan. She loves watching movies and drawing.
Demi may be our baby in the office but she makes up for it in working very hard, always seeking to know more and helping in any way she can. She loves making her clients happy and ensuring all of their events go well.
If Demi could describe herself in one sentence it would be “I am just a happy person who loves food”
_____________________________________________________________
Rumbie was born in the southern hemisphere of Africa, Zimbabwe and is no stranger to taking the lead, being the first born out of four siblings. Having travelled from Zimbabwe to San Francisco to England as a child, Rumbie is now settled and loving the UK.
Rumbie is our rock in the office, she is very determined and headstrong. Rumbie values family and friends and loves spending her time with them. Rumbie always finds time to read and cook and although she was a tomboy as a child, nothing makes her happier than receiving flowers.
Rumbie’s comes from a family of health professionals but it was working for her neighbour’s wedding planning company that cemented her love with Hospitality, completing her Masters in International Hospitality and Hotel Management this year. From organising charity events to private parties and Weddings, Rumbie is a hands-on worker who is always there for her clients.
Rumbie only likes pretty drinks, is a high achiever, has a gorgeous daughter who keeps her grounded and she is very open and honest with her clients.
_____________________________________________________________
To find out more about our other venue teams visit our ‘Our People’ page.
Read More
Graysons Venues are very excited to announce that we have launched our brand new loyalty scheme.
With so many discussions over GDPR and keeping in touch of late, after many discussions, we knew that the main thing we want to do is to reward our amazing clients, both new and existing, so we’ve come up with some fantastic offers exclusively for those who sign up to our loyalty club.
Once a member you will start receiving rewards as soon as you book your first event with us at any one of our unique venues. The more events you book, the more rewards you get!
In addition, you will also receive priority notice for any of our Graysons Venues offers and packages, exclusive invites to venue events and special rewards across our venues. Don’t be the last to find out!
Our official launch date is Monday 14th May and just to make it even more enticing, anyone that signs up by Monday 28th May will automatically be entered into our prize draw to win Champagne Afternoon Tea for up to 20 people, served to your offices! (T&Cs apply)
All you need to do to sign up HERE. Simple.
Let’s keep in touch. Make sure you don’t miss out and sign up today.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Graysons Venues Loyalty Club!
With the excitement of the Royal Wedding in the air, I’m sure I am not the only one following all of the news and social media about the lovely couple!
I read a recent Evening Standard article which made me very happy. According to the article, HRH Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle have apparently opted for canapes and trendy bowl food over a traditional sit-down meal!
This made me smile as it happens to be a personal favourite choice of mine; standing bowl food creates a unique and exciting wedding breakfast giving everyone a chance, including the newlyweds, to mingle with all of the guests – something that is often missed during a sit-down meal. For those of you that are looking for your special day to be a little more relaxed and informal – this could be the perfect catering option for you, making your wedding bang on trend!
It’s also been said, the Royal Couple have specified they wanted to make sure the chefs used local seasonal produce which again is another one of Graysons core values. Here at Graysons we pride ourselves on our creativity and working with our clients to create their perfect food choices for their perfect day.
At the Royal Over-Seas League, our professional chefs and Wedding planners are here to listen to what you want and are on hand to help your day unfold as if you were royalty. Don’t forget the Royal Over-Seas League has had Royal connections since 1916 with King George becoming a patron.
If you’ve been inspired by HRH Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle and want to see how a bowl food wedding breakfast would work in our stunning garden or if you would like to see how your dream of a traditional sit-down meal would work in our classic Hall of India and Pakistan, then please do contact myself on my details below.
Hope to speak to you soon!
Tara
Tara Fenner
Assistant Sales Manager & Wedding Specialist
Royal Over-Seas League
+44 (0)20 7016 6907
tfenner@rosl.org.uk
Whilst most are sipping cocktails on rooftop terraces and packing the suntan lotion for summer holidays, those of us in the events world are already in full swing for Christmas 2018 preparations.
For the majority, Christmas is one jolly month of the year where you can drink bucket loads of mulled wine and queue up for churros and German sausages at winter markets until your heart is content. For us at Graysons, Christmas is all year round; we know the carols better than anyone and we’ve possibly tasted more Turkey dinners than Father Christmas!
There isn’t a week that goes by that we don’t hear from clients looking for a venue for their upcoming festivities. Whilst it seems a silly time to be thinking that far ahead, now is the time to secure your dates or you may be enjoying your party on a Monday… with a sore head at work on Tuesday!
This year is looking bigger and better than ever! Whilst you enjoy the summer sunshine, don’t forget to start thinking ahead to your Christmas party; secure your dates now and we’ll look after the rest of the sparkle!
Throwing it back to 2017, our festive elves were busy across London and Sussex to ensure that every party had every last bit of Christmas sparkle. We had sleigh-fulls of Prosecco on ice, photo booths in every corner and we bought every last pig in blanket our butcher could get his hands on!
Check out some of the parties we had at our venue of the month: Spitalfields Venue.
Could be your 2018 Christmas party location…?
Read More
The decision will see Daniel Sykes lead Graysons’ business and industry (B&I) operations while Laurent Lucas-Dufour focuses on the commercial venue’s business.
Laurent Lucas-Dufour from Harbour & Jones. With a wealth of senior management experience in venues, commercial businesses, and top hotels, Laurent leads our operations team for venues, public visitor, and commercial sites.
Dan Sykes joins from Baxter Storey. Dan started his career in busy and successful high street restaurants and then headed up one of London’s most impressive public visitor attractions. He then made the move into corporate catering leading some of the biggest and most prestigious accounts. He is an accomplished operator and a true people person creating loyal and motivated teams who truly deliver.
Graysons managing director, Tim O’Neill, commented: “Laurent and Daniel’s appointments are part of our overall strategy to consolidate our business in the marketplace and achieve our growth targets over the next two years.
“They add another dimension to the team and are highly experienced professionals who now lead our entire operations team.”
Graysons and Slow Food in the UK are collaborating to support the Ark of Taste, the International “At Risk Register” for rare and heritage varieties of crops and breeds.
There are currently more than 150 rare varieties of crops and breeds in the UK and more than 4,500 recorded worldwide.
Graysons have nominated products to the Ark and ensured that these products come through our supply chain and are used throughout our units. These include Blenheim Orange Apple, Laxtons Superior Apple, English Ewes Milk Cheeses (Berkswell) and English Raw Milk Cheeses (Stichelton). We continue to work to nominate other rare and at risk produce and breeds in our commitment to these fantastic quality products.
Graysons will be utilising the Ark Products on their menus throughout their portfolio. Including our commercial venues such as the British Library, the Royal Over-Seas League, and Rooms on Regent’s Park.
Barry Nichols, Graysons Executive Head Chef said “We see the support and use of Ark products as part of our core values: that we can support our food heritage in a tangible and sustainable way’’.
As part of our commitment to the Ark of Taste Graysons are producing chutney to made with Blenheim Orange apples, preserving what is otherwise a seasonal fruit, sustaining British orchards and delivering a fantastic tasting product for retail throughout our units.
Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food in the UK says “The Ark of Taste is critical to maintaining a wider pool of genetic diversity, crucial in these times of climate change and increased pests and crop disease. Graysons’ support of Ark apples for example means that these products remain viable against a backdrop of 70% of all the apples we eat coming from just three varieties.
British farming, and with it the landscape that we all enjoy, have never been under so much stress and uncertainty. Working with Graysons to source Ark products which are indigenous to the area of their sites, means that genuinely local food will be served, which will in turn return income to the communities where they operate”
Barry Nichols has also joined the Slow Food Chef Alliance, a roll-call of Chefs which include Michel Roux, Giorgio Locatelli and Raymond Blanc who all have committed to using Ark of Taste Products.
Slow Food is also working in partnership with Graysons supporting food events at our sites with food education and food markets as part of the wider Graysons offer.
Read More
Your guests will make their way up Bishopsgate to a venue so pronounced, you can’t miss it. You will be welcomed up the stone steps of the Church and into the striking Nave for an arrival reception. The scents of fresh pines from the Christmas tree combined with aromatic winter spices will welcome your guests into this amazing venue, Spitalfields Venue.
Whilst you admire the intricate architecture in awe, why not talk to us about having a local historian present to tell you a bit of history around the venue. The building was built over 300 years ago and there are definitely some stories to tell!
Following a delicious seasonal banquet we will then invite guests downstairs into the recently refurbished Crypt to reveal the evening’s entertainment (and if you have included one of the local historians, you will know some fascinating previous uses of this space!) We will organise the DJ, the dance floor and the bar and all you have to worry about is having a good time!
In December 2017 we served 3,963 cups of mulled wine, we made 620 gingerbread men (plus 2 gingerbread houses), served 1109 Christmas dinners and this year it’s no different.
The hustle and bustle around CCSpits at Christmas is what adds to its festive charm. For every night there’s not a Christmas party, there will be a carol service echoing through the ornate arches. Whilst we close the doors to our last party on the 23rdDecember, the Church is gearing up for their Christmas Eve service and the rest that follow. For us – the festivities don’t stop until the final pines drop off the tree in early January when it’s time to pack away the decorations for another year.
With dates selling out fast, make sure you don’t miss out on this traditional Christmas experience at our venue of the month: Spitalfields Venue and get in touch now to secure your Christmas Party space.
Christmas at Spitalfields Venue.
Read More
As you may have seen from our social media of late, we are in the midst of celebrating our 10th year as Graysons. And what a fantastic 10 years it’s been so far!
We’ve been reminiscing about the incredible range of achievements we’ve had over the years and there are just so many to choose from.
The #Graysons10years anniversary party last week at our Spitalfields Venue was a brilliant reminder of all we’ve achieved so far and certainly showcased our intentions for the next 10. Be sure to check out the images across our social media platforms @graysonsvenues and @graysonsuk.
It’s been our absolute pleasure to operate within some amazing places, BMW Group UK, Francis Crick Institute, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, IOP Publishing to name just a few. And of course, our inspiring collection of venues here. (Ask us about hosting an event at one of them today!)
We are so very proud to have an amazing team of people both leading the way for Graysons at our head office, as well as our talented team of chefs, operations and sales teams across our range of sites. We certainly wouldn’t be here without them.
Our talented chefs continue to amaze us with their culinary expertise and ability to tailor menus to suit every type of meal option or event. Creating such tantalising and mouth-watering menus for hundreds of thousands of people every year! Find out more about our recent partnership with the Ark of Taste, the International “At Risk Register” for rare and heritage varieties of crops and breeds and keep an eye out for more on our ‘Plate up for the Planet’ initiatives with the Vegan Society.
And now we look towards the next ten years and the exciting ventures upon us. The appointment of two fantastic new operations directors certainly means we are in safe hands on this journey. Join us and keep up to date with the latest at Graysons by signing up to our Loyalty Club here.
Here’s to the next 10!
Read More
Spitalfields Venue is our June venue of the month and what better opportunity to look back at its incredible almost 300-year history! So, grab a hot drink and settle in for this trip through time with us.
Established as part of the ‘Commission for Building Fifty New Churches’, Christ Church Spitalfields was built by the famous, Nicholas Hawksmoor between 1714 and 1729.
By the middle of the 20th century, the building was unkempt and at risk of demolition. The Friends of Christ Church and the Spitalfields Festival, made up of the congregation and local community groups, came together to fundraise for its renovation and in 2004 the Nave was reopened.
Now beautifully restored as a landmark of East London, thanks to donations from a number of generous benefactors and trusts it continues to be home to an active church congregation and has opened its doors as a public building to the thousands who visit each year.
It’s hard not to be in awe of the beautiful Baroque Organ within the Nave. Originally inaugurated in 1735 and became derelict, along with the building around the 1960s. The organ was restored and completed for use by 2014; people travel from all over the world to come and see this stunning masterpiece.
Emerging from the Nave renovations was a special project to redevelop the Crypt.
Reopened in 2015, one can now easily see Hawksmoor’s original design and the new oak renovations have created a bright and airy cafe and events space.
The Crypt has had many unique uses over the years:
Surprisingly, this Huguenot Chapel is older than Christ Church itself. By the 1960s, Christ Church was derelict and services began to take place in the Church Hall (now known as Hanbury Hall).
Built in 1719 as a French Huguenot Church, Hanbury Hall has many historic uses over the years:
Along with the Crypt at Christ Church, Hanbury Hall was restored and reopened in 2015.
With such an incredible history, one may find it tough not to feel awe-struck and inspired when visiting Spitalfields Venue. Be it through lunch at the Cafe in the Crypt, a coffee while you work at Hanbury Hall, or during your event in the Nave – keep an eye out for the signs of this stunning venues history.
Read MoreAs much as we love the summer and we wait for the papers to tell us about the latest heat wave coming our way, we all know you can never quite rely on the English sun to beam when you want it to.
Planning a winter wedding takes the stress away and turns a miserable winter into something to look forward to. So, here’s our top 5 ideas to help create a magical winter wedding at our stunning venue of the month, Spitalfields Venue.
Candles give off such warm and inviting glow in winter. With the shorter days add a touch of light to line the steps of the church. Hurricane lanterns filled with candles add that wow-factor as guests arrive following your ceremony. Within the Nave you could have your wedding breakfast lit simply by candlelight and fill the room with candles setting a gorgeous romantic feel.
Offering guests a winter warmer cocktail on arrival rather than Champagne or Prosecco always goes down well when it’s cold outside! Warm guests up with a glass of winter Pimms; a great crowd pleaser and with all the flavours of winter. Alternatively, if it’s a Christmas wedding, mulled wine works really well and the smell instantly makes you feel Christmassy.
With a winter wedding, there are so many options for flowers to help create your perfect winter setting. For a late-Autumn wedding, oranges, deep reds, berries and greenery look beautiful and work perfectly for capturing the tones of Autumn. Winter wonderland themes with icy colours look stunning; whites, silvers and greenery dusted or sprayed with silver to look snowy create stunning centrepieces or bouquets. All of which look stunning with the warm tones and white facades within the Nave.
Along with the candlelit options, lighting within the venue can give it a whole other feeling, as the evening draws in, uplighters can be put on the outside of the church, in the Nave and in the Crypt completely transforming the venue.
Let’s not forget fairy lights. The way they sparkling in the evening light oozes elegance and celebration. Use them as path lighting or as a magical backdrop for your top table or dance floor.
If you and your guests are celebrating well into the evening and the drinks are flowing, it’s always a good idea to offer an evening bite and Wintery snacks are just the thing to get your guests’ mouths watering. We’re thinking ham hock croquettes, turkey and cranberry sausage rolls, pumpkin soup shots, brie and chutney mini tartlets or burger sliders. If you’re going with a Christmas themed wedding then offering eggnog, mulled wine and a tower of mince pies could be just the ticket.
Steeped in history, find out more about holding a winter wedding reception at our Spitalfields Venue and make the cool months of winter something to look forward too!
Read More
Times are certainly changing and here at Graysons, we’re changing with them! Let us introduce you to our new virtual reality venue dollhouses!
As much as we would love to see you at our venues, and show you around them ourselves, we understand that’s not always possible. So, take a walk through them from the comfort of your desk with our new VR Venue Dollhouses.
Sit back and relax as it walks you through the building, or take the reins and walk through yourself with the click of a mouse or put on your VR headgear/Google cardboard and walk through virtually!
The perfect opportunity to see where you or your guests will walk when they arrive, work out where you will go to get to the private room, what the reception area looks like, where the bathroom is or the garden for drinks before your event. No longer will you have to figure out how the room will look through a still photograph, a floor plan and a spot of guessing, you simply need to click the dollhouse link.
Check out our venue dollhouses here…
Being a sales manager at Rooms on Regent’s Park for some time now I am often researching to find what makes a venue enticing to bookers. I’ve found it’s a combination of factors, all different dependant on the event type, organizer, the time of the year, the team who runs the establishment and so many other things. One that appears almost every time is the location of the venue.
This morning on my way out of Baker Street Station as I dodged commuters and tourists it made me realise how lucky we are with what London and the Regent’s Park has to offer, all of the cultural opportunities, the theatres, movies, museums, parks and how many of those things can be utilised for events.
I saw people with flyers for Madame Tussauds Museum, all with their cameras ready to take photos of wax actors/celebrities/royalty/musicians and people of importance. No doubt by now their phones are full of pictures of them hugging ET, kissing Tom Hardy, pulling a face of envy next to Meghan and Harry and so on.
As I walk towards Regent’s Park, the pavement in front of the Sherlock Holmes Museum was just as busy. At 8.30 am people were already queuing up to get their tickets to see what the establishment has to offer. I personally love reading and have read a few of the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and how detective Holmes and his friend/colleague/partner in “crime” Dr Watson lived at the famous 221b Baker Street. However, until recently, I didn’t know that the house (which is the home of the Museum) is protected by the government due to its “special architectural and historical interest”.
Continuing my journey along Regent’s Park the Boating Lake comes into view. I could go on about how much this park (that happens to be my favourite in London) has to offer. There is the Open Air Theatre, Queen Mary Gardens, Regent’s Park Allotment Gardens and my ultimate favourite in late spring, The Avenue Gardens. Those beautiful cherry blossoms, the fountains, the little benches. It is just “the best spot” for a book to read on a lazy weekend afternoon or to take delegates for an afternoon outing.
Upon my arrival, I am amazed that all of the above is “a stone’s throw” away from Rooms on Regent’s Park and attractive enough to have as an additional activity for any client. It’s also something that any of us could try in our spare time on the weekends!
Ask us about the meeting and event options available and how you can add on a visit to the amazing attractions around Rooms on Regent’s Park when you book with us.
Veronika Olleova
Sales Manager
Rooms on Regent’s Park
We often read enticing pieces online, via social media and through blogs, that speak of the amazing events you can have, how wonderful the spaces will look or how delectable your meal will be – all to whet the appetite. We don’t often read about the incredible teams of people, working tirelessly in the background to ensure your event runs smoothly and you have all you need.
So far, this summer has been a busy one for event operations at Rooms on Regent’s Park and it is our pleasure that the team have let us in on a small secret of theirs. They strive to deliver a range of bespoke menu choices for our conference and banqueting events and their ability to tailor dishes and the latest seasonal wines to each event is on point this year. They’ve even added the refreshing addition of summer smoothies, which have been widely complimented. But that’s not the secret…
Jason Bunting our head chef, has an amazing pallet for favours and seeing him at work is inspiring. This July, Jason transformed the dining menu at Rooms on Regent’s Park to incorporate seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood. Adding an excellent garnish that brings out a four-dimensional visual and taste explosion.
One of our favourites is the Seared Sea scallops laid on black pudding seasoned then glistened with an emulsion pea puree then pickled apple, finished with micro sorrel. This dish or light starter is great when paired with our Summer seasonal wine selection, however, our operations team personally prefer the Crucillon Viura Blanco 2017 with this dish. This combination works well for hot summer evenings as well as giving you a refreshing start to the dining experience.
So, when booking your next event at Rooms on Regent’s Park, ask the team about creating a bespoke dining experience from Jason’s incredible menus and pair that with a recommended beverage – we might even be able to let you in on a few more of our Operations team secrets.
Our Rooms on Regent’s Park venue is our July Venue of the Month and as a special treat their head chef Jason has given us one of the recipes from his Summer dining menu.
Have you ever been to an event and wished you knew how to make the mouth-watering food in front of you? Now you can give it a go from the comfort of your kitchen, at home!
How about giving this a go at the weekend?
Serves 2.
2 x 4 or 5oz chicken fillets
200 grams ricotta cheese
40 grams shaved parmesan
A sprig of fresh mint
A sprig of fresh oregano
A sprig of basil
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon of lime zest
4 slices of pancetta
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
Salt and pepper
1 large handful of baby spinach
Half a medium-sized avocado
125 grams of potato
Half a teaspoon of baking powder
35 grams flour
60 ml milk
1 tablespoon chopped chives
Cling wrap
Place the chicken between two pieces of cling wrap. Using a meat mallet, slowly bang the chicken out to twice the size and refrigerate.
Grate the lemon and lime zest into the ricotta cheese and add the herbs, one egg and egg yolk.
Put two tablespoons of the ricotta mixture onto one end of the flattened chicken, lay the avocado on top followed by the pancetta and spinach. Place chicken on a large piece of cling wrap and slowly roll it up, bringing the sides together to tighten into a roll and tie both ends together.
Bring a medium sized saucepan half full of water to a simmer and add the cling film wrapped chicken, cook for 12 minutes.
Take out and rest the chicken on the bench for 10 minutes.
To make the potato pancake, boil the potatoes, mash and then cool. Once cool add the flour and baking powder until smooth and well mixed, add the egg and milk and whisk to a smooth consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
In a pan heat a little olive oil and when hot, ladle around 100ml of the mixture into the pan and turn the flame or element down. Cook both sides for 4 minutes.
Put the pancake on a serving plate. Unwrap the chicken, slice in half and place on the pancake.
Serve with a chicken jus or red pepper coulis, and seasonal vegetables.
Try more of Jason’s delicious recipes at home. Visit the #BeInspired page on the Rooms on Regent’s Park Website here.
Read More
Last month our Graysons teams were in full charity mode, with our executive team sailing to raise money for Springboard and our central team gave back by helping to clear the Thames Riverbank with the BNC and Thames21 (#nomorewetwipes).
Having the opportunity to give back, both to the environment and to people is a key driver for us at Graysons. Through our participation in the Springboard Hospitality Sailing Cup, our teams time and donation helped The Springboard Charity to help young people achieve their potential, nurture unemployed individuals into work and help alleviate poverty by supporting people into sustainable employment within the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry – Wow!
Their contribution across the two days directly helped young people, safeguarding their future employment and gave back to an industry that provides enjoyment to so many.
Later in the month, our Central Sales Team gave up a day to help safeguard our local environment by helping to clear the River Thames
In conjunction with the BNC, our team helped Thames 21 start to put a healthy river at the heart of our community. Thames 21 focus on rebuilding the relationship between communities and their rivers; restoring river health and boosting wellbeing and community cohesion in the process. Our morning spent on the Thames riverbank helped to clear at least 50+ rubbish bags worth of general rubbish, debris, clothes, stale food and hundreds and hundreds of wet wipes from the river bank, even a few broken bottles and knives!
To quote Richard Branson “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients”. A quote we certainly agree with here at Graysons and our team at Rooms on Regent’s Park are leading the way to make this a reality.
In a world full of sales targets, budgets, KPIs and high financial expectations to contend with our General Manager at Rooms on Regent’s Park put a unique incentive scheme in place to help encourage their sales team to beat their targets.
Being in the catering business, our sales team are massive foodies, and what better way to incentivise a ‘foodie’ team than with a chance to dine at a Michelin star restaurant. It was just the extra push they needed to beat their sales target!
On Friday the 1stof June the Sales team had an amazing fine dining experience at Sketch, London. The Menu created by the French Chef Pierre Gagnaire offers sensational and unique plates guiding the customers towards a superb food experience that rarely happens in life. The fabulous service and the attention to detail left the team completely speechless.
For Event Sales Co-Ordinator, Poe Tauhiro, trying Pierre Gagnaire’s food was a bucket list item for a long time.
So, with such great feedback, maybe we should all take a page from the Rooms on Regent’s Park playbook and find unique and inspiring ways to incentivise our teams?!
As a good sales coordinator, you always want to keep in touch with the new trends, what events are becoming popular, what are the new demands. On that same note, you also need to know a lot about the events held at your venue. What are the traditions behind certain events, what are the different do’s and don’ts when it comes to arranging the variety of different functions at a venue like Rooms on Regent’s park where we can host so many types of events?
With our majestic Nuffield Hall being available at the weekends and our wonderful location in the NW postcode area, we are fast becoming a popular Bar and Bat, Mitzvah venue and because of this, we make a point to understand the traditions and celebrations surrounding these.
The history behind these events is a fascinating one. Traditionally taking place after a girl’s 13thbirthday, and a boy’s 12th, these events would generally mark the age when a young man or woman would be ready to take their place as a full member of the community in being able to lead religious services and Prayer and would bear their own responsibility for their actions and adherence to religious law. Though the Bar-Mitzvah, has a long and well-established history, the Bat-Mitzvah’s is slightly less certain. Though coming of age ceremonies and observances have taken place in various Jewish communities throughout history these were not always been accepted by the full spectrum of the practising Jewish world.
One of the major steps towards its current widespread nature was the Bat-Mitzvah of Judith Kaplan, daughter of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan – the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, which was the first public celebration of its kind in the United States and leads to more acceptance of the practice across many branches of Judaism.
As with a lot of major life events though, they make a great reason for a celebration and social event – a tradition which is far from modern, as 13thCentury texts have noted that on this occasion a father should “make a party for his son” (though their definition for a party could well be different from ours).
Though some may opt for a simple family dinner for others the party is a major production and the organisation and staffing of them sustains a field of caterers, entertainers, dancers, musicians and motivators who ensure that a good time is had by all.
The nights are starting to draw in and the weather has very definitely turned, which can only mean one thing, the Autumn Winter party season must be starting! Whether it’s awards ceremonies, client thank you events or end of year parties, the run up to Christmas is always a very busy time for events.
Christ Church Spitalfields situated just a five minute walk from Liverpool Street, is the perfect venue for your autumnal event. With stunning uplighting packages which accentuate the beauty of this space and which add a really striking impact from the outside of the building and throughout.
Our main space is The Nave with a capacity for 600 standing or 250 for a seated dinner, this space is truly a stunning backdrop for your special event. Boasting high ceilings, dramatic columns and magnificent chandeliers this space really does add a touch of glamour for any event.
It’s not too late for you to host your special event, drinks reception or gala dinner in Spitalfields Venue. We have a special promotion running for drinks receptions in our awe-inspiring Nave, which can hold up to 600 guests.
If you book your drinks reception for October – November 2019 it will cost just
£85.00 + VAT per person based on a minimum of 150 guests.
The package includes:
Exclusive venue hire from 18:00-22:30
Sparkling reception on arrival
Selection of seasonal bowl food (4 items)
1⁄2 Bottle of wine and water
Sound and lighting package
Cloakroom facilities
Full event management
Security and staff
If you’d like to take advantage of this great offer, please get in touch with our friendly sales team who would be happy to answer any questions and help you organise your event –
But hurry as dates are selling out fast!
Spitalfields Venue Christ Church,
Commercial Street,
London
E1 6LY
Tel: 020 7377 6793
Email: venues@spitalfieldsvenue.org
Graysons are proud to present The National Archives, a venue which is newly available to hire, offering a truly unique opportunity to host your meeting or event in one of the most iconic government buildings.
The building is the official archive for the UK Government, and for England and Wales, holding over 1,000 years of iconic national documents including the Domesday Book and Shakespeare’s will.
Situated alongside the river in leafy Kew, The National Archives is a year-round venue with extensive, landscaped grounds offering both daytime and evening hire. Our high-quality event and conference facilities can accommodate guests for anything from a small meeting of 10, conferences, lectures, film screenings for up to 250, gala dinners for up to 120 or standing summer receptions in the gardens for up to 300.
The six event spaces include the Events Auditorium, the Talks Rooms’, the Learning Room, the Atrium and the Gardens. Our unique offer includes optional ‘heritage experiences’ as part of our day delegate rate packages: from behind-the-scenes tours and original document displays, to themed expert talks and events.
To find out more or to book your next event with us,
contact our dedicated team on:
0203 906 9303 or hospitality@nationalarchives.gov.uk
The National Archives
Kew, Richmond,
Surrey,
TW9 4DU
When we think of a traditional English wedding, we envision a beautiful country manor and acres of beautiful gardens. If this is your dream wedding, then you will love our beautiful Sussex venue, Wakehurst.
A breathtakingly beautiful wild botanic garden managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Nestled in 500 acres of gardens and woodlands the photo opportunities here are endless. We provide the in-house catering and our talented Chefs can create tailored sumptuous menu’s based on the clients unique tastes.
The most popular space for weddings at Wakehurst is in the Elizabethan Mansion, steeped in history, this traditional manor house provides a grand setting for wedding celebrations. It is suitable for weddings from 20 to 80 guests seated and up to 180 in the evening. There is the option of seating up to 140 guests over the two adjoining rooms.
For larger weddings marquee or tipi tents can be used on our croquet lawns adjacent to the Mansion itself, providing a grand backdrop for your special day. Suitable for weddings up to 200 guests.
Wakehurst is proud to be home to the Millennium Seed Bank, this contemporary world-famous glass atrium is a unique space to hold your drinks reception, with space on the lawns behind the Seed Bank to house a marquee.
If you’re on the hunt for a wedding venue or have any questions about weddings at Wakehurst, please do get in touch with our friendly
Weddings & Events Manager Jo Chellingworth.
Wakehurst
Ardingly, Haywards Heath,
Sussex,
RH17 6TN
01444 894024
On 15th November 2019 the doors of Rooms on Regents Park will be closing and the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) will be moving to a new location in the heart of the busy and vibrant London Bridge area.
We are delighted to announce we will have a brand-new venue opening from March 2020 and we are looking forward to welcoming you to our new home, 10 Union Street. Our new venue combines flexible and purpose-built meeting and events space, making the best use of technology, including video conferencing and first-class audio-visual facilities.
Each room has large windows with plenty of natural light flooding through, there are 12 spaces in total spanning 3 floors and capacities from 5-300. We have a broad range of rooms to suit all requirements, our largest space even boasts views of the Shard!
As an opening offer, we are holding our 2019 prices for bookings made before 31st December 2019, for your first event at Union Street.
To find out more please get in touch with our friendly sales team using the details below.
10-18 Union Street
London
SE1 1SZ
+44 (0)2077726299
events@10unionstreet.co.uk
www.10unionstreet.co.uk
Read MoreAs the year draws to a close, we’ve been reflecting on the amazing achievements across our business over the last twelve months, including the opening of many new contracts.
In January we added Wakehurst Place to our venues collection.
Set in the heart of West Sussex, the wild botanical gardens of Wakehurst have been a beautiful backdrop for weddings and corporate events.
Surrounded by acres of greenery, we also had the addition of The Wimbledon Club, one of Surrey’s premier multi-sport clubs.
This venue has six spacious event rooms, some overlooking the courts and greenery and it can be used for a variety of events, such as parties, meetings and conferences and much more.
In November we also said goodbye to our venue Rooms on Regents Park, as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists moved locations to 10 Union Street, London Bridge. This has also been an exciting time as our new events space opens to the public in early 2020, filled with 12 event spaces, high spec technology, video conferencing and first-class audio-visual facilities.
We have many exciting changes to unveil, including the addition of yet another amazing venue to our growing portfolio in January!
For now, we want to thank our amazing clients for your continued support, we hope you have a wonderful festive period and we look forward to doing business with you in the new year!
Read More
Kicking off the new year with a bang, Graysons are proud to announce that the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society is the latest addition to our growing venue collection.
Based in Whitechapel, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is the professional body for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in Great Britain.
This venue has two large events spaces and two smaller meeting rooms, making it the perfect venue meetings of up to 130 people and receptions, parties and celebrations for up to 150 guests.
Guests can also enjoy stunning panoramic views of London from the top floor balcony, making it an ideal back drop for dinners and cocktail receptions. While meetings and events held on the ground floor, benefit from the unique back drop of the beautiful museum and library.
We will have a variety of new packages coming throughout the year and lots of exciting offers to look out for! To keep up to date be sure to follow us on Twitter
Special offer
Do you have any upcoming events in 2020? As an opening offer, we’re giving 10% for any 2020 bookings made before January 31st. To find out more and to discuss your event requirements, please get in touch with our friendly sales team today.
There’s something so magical about the festive season, everyone is always in high spirits, so it’s no wonder it’s the most popular time of year to get engaged! Over 100,000 engagements were expected to take place over the festive season in 2019, were you one of the lucky couples?
Perhaps you are looking for some inspiration for your wedding venue? If so, we can help, here are our top picks for your dream day.
Spitalfields Venue
London has many hidden gems dotted around the city, one such venue is Spitalfields Venue, otherwise known as Christ Church Spitalfields. This architectural masterpiece was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and it is the perfect contrast between old city charm and trendy East London.
The Baroque splendour of Christ Church Spitalfields creates an elegant backdrop for your special day. Celebrate your wedding breakfast against the stunning backdrop of the Nave, before moving down to the vaulted Crypt to dance the night away.
Spitalfields Venue was recently listed as one of the top 19 best wedding venues in London for 2020, to find out more about the venue and explore the wedding packages available, click here.
Wakehurst
If you’ve always dreamt of a country wedding, Wakehurst is perfect! Surrounded by wild botanic gardens in the heart of Sussex, it is a dreamy backdrop.
There are multiple options available for your big day, you could hold your wedding within the Elizabethan Mansion, with views of the Mansion Pond and gardens.
The Mansion has three reception rooms – giving you flexibility over how you wish your wedding to flow. The Dining Room, Gallery and Library are connected by a charming entrance foyer with sweeping staircase, which is a perfect backdrop for both formal and more relaxed photography.
If you prefer being in the great outdoors, or you’re planning for a bohemian, rustic style festival wedding, the croquet lawn is perfectly situated for a wedding marquee or tipi with breath-taking views across the gardens.
Last but not least, there’s the option of holding your wedding in the Millennium Seed Bank. The world-renowned Millennium Seed Bank provides a modern and architecturally striking setting for standing wedding receptions and parties.
If Wakehurst seems like the one for you, you’ll want to check out our great offer for weddings in 2020.
Royal Over-Seas League
The Royal Over-Seas League is an elegant venue in Mayfair offering a unique and tranquil setting for your special day. This historic listed building features superb views and is minutes from Buckingham Palace and other wonderful attractions in the West End.
Comprising two Grade I listed buildings the Over-Seas House offers a range of splendid period function rooms; many with exquisite views over a private garden and into Green Park.
Licensed to hold civil wedding ceremonies; they offer a complete and exemplary service, for 20 to 200 guests. And with a dedicated event coordinator to work with you on every detail, you can be sure of a memorable day.
In the summer months the beautiful private Garden, with terrace and lawn, makes an ideal setting for a champagne and canapé reception.
If The Royal Over-Seas League seems like the venue for you, click here for more information out our 2020 wedding promotion.
Read MoreThe West End of London is well-known for its attractions and hustle and bustle, so that makes it the perfect place to host your meetings and conferences.
The Royal Over-Seas League is our hidden gem, tucked away in the heart of St James and just behind Green Park, with a discreet and serene location you would easily forget that you are in the heart of London!
This central location is perfect as the venue is within easy reach and has great transport links.
The Royal Over-Seas league is one of London’s most unique private members clubs.
This Grade I listed building offers unique conference and banqueting facilities and splendid period function rooms, ideal for holding syndicate workshops and major conferences, to corporate celebrations.
The building is home to seven meeting and function rooms, with the largest accommodating up to 250 guests standing and 196 when seated, whilst smaller spaces seat between 2 and 50 people.
The two largest halls hold up to 250 guests and are ideal for conferences, presentations and small exhibitions. The Princess Alexandra Hall has in-built AV and superb acoustics, whilst the Hall of India and Pakistan can be split into two spaces with a private bar.
If you are on the hunt for a small space to host your board meeting, there are five smaller rooms which can accommodate from 2 to 50 delegates. With elegant period details, these bright and airy rooms can add a touch of history to any meeting or event.
If the Royal Over-Seas League sounds like the venue for you, get in touch with our friendly team to find out more about how we can help you plan your next event.
Over-Seas House,
Park Place,
St James’ Street,
London SW1A 1LR
0207 408 0214
As the leading sustainable caterer in the UK, Graysons was recently approached to take part in a UK special of popular French TV series, Down to Earth.
The programme, which aired on France 24 at the beginning of February 2020, was filmed at one of Graysons’ prestigious locations, Wakehurst.
The episode, ‘Food security and seeds: Inviting wild relatives to the table’, was filmed across Wakehurst’s famous Millennium Seed Bank and the kitchens of the stunning Elizabethan mansion house set within wild botanic gardens.
The human diet as we know it is under increasing threat. Of the current 6,000 plants species that are available and farmed for consumption, a mere nine of them account for whopping two thirds of production. Climate change, the spread of disease and political instability pose a big threat to our food security. With such a limited pool of species in production, we are amplifying these threats exponentially.
As a result, the programme poses two clear choices: increase the variety of what we eat, or increase the strength of our favourite crops, such as wheat, rice and potatoes.
The Millennium Seed Bank is the largest of its kind in the world. It holds six storerooms at minus 20 degrees Celsius which prolong the life of thousands of wild seeds. Many of the seeds are wild cousins to our favoured crops which have evolved to live on the margins and are used to surviving more hostile conditions compared to our domesticated farm crops. Some of the stored species are already extinct in the wild and can be reintroduced as and when our traditional crops become unviable.
Graysons is passionate about protecting our biodiversity and British cultural food heritage. This ethos goes to the very core of our business and what we care about and celebrate on the plate.
One of the key ways we do this is through our partnership with Slow Food UK. It is a huge source of pride for us that we are the sole caterer of our kind to enjoy such a partnership with Slow Food UK, and it speaks volumes of our shared commitments to protect our food heritage.
Across our business, we support products from the Ark of Taste, Slow Food’s international ‘at risk’ register of heritage crops and breeds. Using these endangered heritage varieties of British fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and animal breeds across our 52-site strong business has a massive impact.
Down to Earth’s presenter, Mairead Dundas, conducted a fascinating interview of our Group Executive Chef, Barry Nichols and the Director of Slow Food UK, Shane Holland. As they make amply clear, the time to act is now; the only way we can save our food heritage is to put it on the plate.
The episode closes with Barry making a delicious tart with Egremont Russet apples and Blue Vinney cheese, both Ark of Taste products that are packed with history and flavour, but none-the-less severely underused in our country.
Look out for Ark of Taste products across our menus today and join us in bringing our food heritage to life!
Read MoreAlthough the weather outside might be cold and dreary, warmer and brighter days are right around the corner! Now is the time to start planning ahead for those outdoor summer parties, so we’ve compiled a list of our venues which we think are perfect for a summer get-together.
Tucked away in the heart of Mayfair, our venue and garden provide a serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The private garden and terrace are adjacent to Green Park, offering a tranquil setting for drinks receptions and parties.
We’ve got two great packages for the summer, so take full advantage of the long days and celebrate with your guests, click to find out more:
Set in the heart of Southwark and backing on to the famous Tate Modern, The Blue Fin building on Bankside is an easily recognised building thanks to the 2,000 blue aluminium fins that cover the building’s façade and shade the interior.
The Terrace on the 10th floor is an impressive space for drinks receptions and parties, with panoramic views overlooking the London skyline. This stunning venue can accommodate up to 300 people for a standing reception.
Get in touch with us today to find out more and to book your summer party with us.
Haberdashers’ Hall is the latest addition to the Graysons portfolio and available from 1st April 2020. Set in the heart of St Paul’s, it is one of London’s finest conference and meeting venues.
From the moment you walk through the grand iron gates, your attention is focused on the tranquil courtyard garden, with its beautiful modern water feature, hand-cut lawn and fabulous array of sculptures.
The large, light-filled Orangery’s floor-to-ceiling windows open directly onto the garden, enabling up to 450 guests throughout.
To book your summer party at this chic London venue, get in touch with us today.
If you’re looking to escape the city, the beautiful wild botanic gardens of Wakehurst could be the perfect backdrop for your summer party. You and your guests could enjoy taking in the views from the carefully groomed croquet lawn as you sip your summer cocktail and enjoy sumptuous food.
You can choose from three individual spaces, the Elizabethan Mansion, the cutting edge, contemporary Millennium Seed Bank or a marquee set in the stunning gardens. Whichever you choose, you can be guaranteed to be inspired by the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Click here to find out more about our special summer package.
Read MoreWe are only three months in to the new year and Graysons is already in the process of launching five new contracts in 2020. These fantastic new wins come off the back of an equally successful end to 2019, where we launched bespoke services at IMG in Stockley Park and Chiswick Park, the iconic Sotheby’s in Mayfair and QVC in Liverpool.
Our 2020 launches include The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, The National Education Union’s, Haberdashers’ Hall, McCann World Group and The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
The outset of 2020 has also seen the retention of Graysons’ contract with Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, as well as the contract extension and mobilisation of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists at their freshly developed home in London Bridge, following a strategic departure from their historic Regent’s Park residence.
Another huge development project for 2020 is underway at The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew at Wakehurst. Since launching the contract in 2018, Graysons is investing in partnership with Wakehurst to transform the main restaurant and cafés for visitors.
The key to this success?
Graysons is focused on delivering flexible, bespoke catering offers, which succeed in growing sales year on year. This is achieved with personal involvement from our Managing Director, Tim O’Neill, and Business Development Director, Simona Oproiu, who are intrinsic to contract development from mobilisation and beyond.
Graysons has also successfully positioned itself ahead of the curve on sustainability. We were recently put forward as ‘the most sustainable caterer in the UK’ by Slow Food UK for popular France 24 television series, Down to Earth.
The episode, ‘Food security and seeds: Inviting wild relatives to the table’, culminated in an interview with our Group Executive Chef, Barry Nichols, and Shane Holland, Executive Chairman of Slow Food in the UK. It shone vital light on the importance of protecting our British food heritage and biodiversity.
Simona Oproiu, Business Development Director, highlights:
“Facts speak louder than words: Graysons has enjoyed a 100% retention rate for the last five years as well as sustained organic growth. This is something we are immensely proud of! It is testament to how we do things differently and offer a wholly personal approach to every partnership.”
Read MoreAt Graysons we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its impact, we are working with our venues to ensure we are doing all that is possible to safeguard our employees and the public.
We are following the ever-changing government guidelines, as such our venues are making decisions about whether to stay open on a daily basis.
At present, some of our venues have taken the decision to close until further notice, including:
The British Library
10 Union Street (Home to The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists)
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
As this is a rapidly developing situation we will continue to update you as we get further information, in the meantime please drop us an email if you have any further questions at venuesales@graysonsvenues.com
Read MoreWe are delighted to have seen the reopening of some of our sites in the last few weeks and we have been working hard to ensure that this done safely, in line with Government guidance and with customer and staff safety at the forefront.
To help aid the post COVID-19 recovery we are delighted to be participating in the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme. This offers customers a 50% discount off food and non-alcoholic beverages up to a value of £10.00 per person.
We have currently launched in the following sites:
Wakehurst
The British Library
Hanbury Hall
The Royal Over-Seas League
BMW
Rolls Royce
Many of our sites are open to the public so stop by enjoy some delicious food, we look forward to welcoming you back!
All the best and stay safe.
Read MoreWe are excited to announce that we have been invited to exhibit at the BNC show again this year, taking place at the HAC on the 20th of October. As always, the show promises an enjoyable day of networking, learning and good conversations with valuable contacts being made. Yes, it is back, and we are excited to be a part of the show!
Finding the right location for your event can be challenging but we are here to help. Managing the events and venue sales along with the catering services across eight outstanding venues in Farringdon, St Paul’s, Spitalfields, Moorgate, Kings Cross, as well as Sussex you really are spoilt for choice.
We offer a wide selection of event spaces to include meeting rooms, conference and lecture halls, private dining rooms, large scale banqueting halls and outdoor space. Grayson’s Venues can accommodate anything from a private meeting of 2 to a canapé reception of 600 or an outdoor event.
So, pop along to stand 101 at the BNC Show and let us help you select a venue with in a location that meet your needs.
Read MoreOur Executive Chef Jon has pulled together the perfect cake which embodies everything we love about St Patrick’s Day and it goes great with a pint of Guinness! Give it a go and let us know what you think.
ESPRESSO MARTINI CAKE
Ingredients
250g butter, softened (plus extra for the tin)
4 large eggs
250g golden caster sugar
250g self-raising flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 tbsp coffee liqueur
For the filling
100g butter, softened
100g icing sugar
1 tsp milk
6 tsp chocolate spread
For the icing
1 tsp instant espresso powder
1kg pack fondant icing sugar
Method
STEP 1
Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter a 30 x 20cm tin and line with baking parchment. Put the cake ingredients in a bowl except for the liqueur. Whisk until smooth using an electric whisk, then transfer to the tin, smooth out and bake for 30-35mins until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool completely.
STEP 2
Meanwhile, for the filling, whisk the butter, icing sugar and milk together until smooth, then transfer to a piping bag.
STEP 3
When the cake is cold, slice off the top so it’s flat, turn over, trim and cut into neat, approx. 4cm squares (four squares across and seven down). You should have 28. Dip each one briefly in the liqueur and sit dipped-side up. Put a tiny dot of chocolate spread on top of each cake, then pipe a raspberry-sized ball of the buttercream filling on top of each one.
STEP 4
For the icing, mix the espresso powder with 1 tsp water to dissolve, then mix with the fondant icing sugar and enough water to make it a condensed milk consistency. Put the cakes on wire racks set over trays to catch the drips, then coat each one in the icing. The best way to do this is to hold each one over the bowl of icing on a slotted spoon then generously drizzle over the icing with a tablespoon. Remove from the slotted spoon with a cutlery knife and sit on the rack to dry. Decorate with a drizzle of melted chocolate and a chocolate – covered coffee bean
Read MoreWe are proud to announce the Silverstone Interactive Museum has joined our ever-expanding venue collection, and we therefore have crowned it our ‘Venue of the Month!’
The Silverstone Interactive Museum is a visitor attraction run by Silverstone Heritage Ltd. The museum which opened in 2019 is a former Second World War RAF hangar that has been turned into a state-of-the-art 4000m visitor attraction. Grayson’s have taken onboard the onsite café as well as the hospitality suites and private event catering.
The café is open to ticket holders as well as members of the public. Serving illy barista coffee, a range of Teapigs teas, luxury sandwiches, salads, soup, paninis and toasties. We are also offering a traditional cream tea option for guests to enjoy also.
As part of our event offering, The Silverstone Interactive Museum is available for private hire; with tailor-made packages to suit your every need. The private rooms offer outstanding views of the Silverstone Circuit and are suitable for meetings, dinners, conferences, and exhibitions for up to 200 guests.
This wonderful venue also offers you and your guests a modern and comfortable setting for any event with high-quality Audio-Visual equipment and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. Our dedicated events team are on hand every step of the way to help you. Every event includes access to the museum and the team are more than happy to create bespoke packages including, simulator experiences and complement the day with bespoke catering packages.
We are excited to see what exciting events come our way, and please keep an eye on our social media platforms to see if we can inspire you for any occasion you may have.
This year we are doubling our presence at the London Christmas Party Show; not only are we exhibiting, but we will also be catering the entire event at our stunning Haberdashers Hall!
The Show is a MUST-ATTEND for event agents and corporate event buyers looking to gain inspiration for not only their Christmas events but their entire events calendar.
Join us for a day of Christmas festivities where you can discover and re-connect with over 100 event venues and suppliers.
The Show’s split event format consists of a VIP evening event on Tuesday 12th July (4:30pm – 8:30pm) and a full day dedicated to all things festive on Wednesday 13th July (08:30am – 5:30pm).
To fit with this years ‘Bavarian Christmas’ Theme we will be serving a menu befitting of this, including cured salmon on pumpernickel, smoked frankfurter hot dogs and black forest gateau bowls. This theme also lends itself very nicely to Haberdashers’ Hall with its beautiful courtyard, exposed brick interior and oak wood features throughout the venue, which will be dressed to the nines also.
We will be posting snippets of the event on our social media platforms, so keep an eye out for this!
You can register to visit the event HERE
We look forward to seeing you there!
The Countdown is on! We are only 5 days away from The London Christmas Party opening its doors!
We are delighted this year not only to be exhibiting but also catering the entire event at our beautiful Haberdashers’ Hall.
The Show is a MUST-ATTEND for event agents and corporate event buyers looking to gain inspiration for not only their Christmas events but their entire events calendar.
Join us for a day of Christmas festivities where you can discover and re-connect with over 100 event venues and suppliers.
If you still haven’t registered your interest to attend the event there is still time, just click here to be taken through to the registration form!
At 10 Union Street we are proud that our meeting rooms are all set up for hybrid meetings and conferences. All of our rooms come equipped as standard with an 85” LCD screen and are prepared for video conferencing.
In our Main Hall we are fully prepared for all your business needs, here the facilities include 2 x WUXGA 12600 Lumens projectors and 2 projection screens, a dedicated AV technician & booth, a lectern with LED spotlight, as well as a hearing support system.
The majority of our rooms come with microphones upon request and are fully soundproofed.
Additionally at 10 Union Street, we also boast an impressive digital studio to hire. The studio includes a fully equipped podcast booth, a breakout area, filming equipment and a sound studio.
Please contact a member of our sales team at events@10unionstreet.com to find out more information, including hire rates. We are also running special rates on DDR bookings throughout August, which you can find on our special offers page https://www.graysonsvenues.com/events/special-offers/ so don’t miss out!
We look forward to helping you plan your next event!
Every month we like to show some appreciation to one of our venues and highlight its beautiful spaces and this month we have chosen the stunning Haberdashers’ Hall. The venue recently catered and hosted the London Christmas Party Show earlier this month, this massive event was an absolute success and the team put in an amazing effort over the 2 days!
Set in the heart of St Paul’s, Haberdashers’ Hall is one of London’s finest conference and meeting venues. Boasting a modern, architect-designed building situated around an internal courtyard, offering stunning outside space – a rare find in the heart of the City.
The venue consists of six beautiful spaces accommodating from 18 – 650 people. The largest space is The Livery Hall, with oak panelled walls, high vaulted ceilings and views of the Courtyard. Three additional rooms, all on the same floor, create the flexibility for break-out space or green rooms. On the ground floor the Courtyard and adjoining Orangery are perfect for summer events and weddings with a real wow! Haberdashers’ Hall can also be exclusively hired, allowing you to make the venue your own.
The company itself supports 18 schools both private and state – including grants, members sitting on board of governors and prizes. Most of the money held by the Haberdashers was granted in wills by members with the provision it is used to support education and schools, and you can see the artwork of these schools displayed throughout the Orangery.
Please do contact one of our sales team at HaberdashersHall@graysons.com where they would be delighted to discuss your event requirements with you!
We loved attending this year’s London Christmas Party show and showcasing not only our delicious food but also the wonderful Haberdashers’ Hall. We really enjoyed meeting everyone that attended and to learn all about your future events.
If you left an enquiry with us one of the team will be in touch with a proposal so please look out for their telephone call and emails, however please feel free to reach out to a member of the team at venuesales@graysons.com or on 02030110286.
AMMP Media have kindly shared the below video and we love how wonderfully it captures not only the beauty of the hall but also the fun had by all that attended.
We look forward to helping you plan your next event!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4cmhklhv0j1anlx/AADGdC04vRNttcrOmmelDRYza?dl=0
All photo and video credit to AMMP Media
We are delighted to announce that Broken Clock Vodka is now our house pour in The Vulliamy Lounge at 113 Chancery Lane, as well being as used across the event spaces within this venue.
Hailing from North Yorkshire the vodka is distilled in the outhouse of eccentric British author Laurence Stern’s previous residence. It is made using traditional 18th century ingredients, subtly infused in an antiquated copper pot still, creating a sophisticated yet playful spirit.
To highlight this partnership, we would like to share Broken Clock Vodka’s favourite summer cocktail – The Windfall Apple Spritz:
50 ml Broken Clock Vodka
100 ml Cloudy Apple Juice
Top with splash of soda water (or splash of cider!)
Garnish with dried apple slice and sprig mint and serve in a high ball glass filled with ice.
We hope you enjoy this as much as we do!
At 10 Union Street we are proud of our unique wedding spaces and the flexibility they offer our wedding couples when planning your big day, whether it be a large lavish party or a smaller, intimate affair.
10 Union Street is a newly refurbished venue located close to the iconic City of London and its various landmarks. The venue comprises of three floors connected by a stunning spiral staircase, creating an elegant backdrop for your special day. At the heart of the venue, you will find a light filled atrium perfect for that all important arrival guest experience and those magical photographic moments.
With three modern and flexible spaces to choose from, all licensed for a civil ceremony at 10 Union Street, you really are spoilt for choice. Whether you use all three spaces or choose just one, they are all ideal for the civil ceremony, dinner and party:
Atrium – 50 people for a civil ceremony 200 people standing reception.
The Second Floor– 50 people for a civil ceremony
Main Hall – 290 people for a civil ceremony 300 standing reception. 240 dinner
Our dedicated events team will be on hand throughout the entire process from initial enquires, to booking suppliers, all the way up to the big day to ensure your experience is nothing short of perfection. Our recommended wedding suppliers have worked at many weddings within the venue and come highly recommended by past couples as well as by our team. Please speak to your wedding coordinator who can put you in touch with some of our wonderful suppliers including: Entertainment, DJ and Dancefloor, Florist, Stationary, Decor, Photographers, Toastmasters and much more.
One of the most enjoyable experiences during the entire wedding planning process is the menu and wine tasting at the venue. Invite up to two people to join you to help make those all-important menu choices. Led by head chef Jason Bunting, the culinary team bring innovative twists to traditional British cuisine, finding seasonal inspiration from the local market right on their doorstep. They are more than happy to craft a bespoke menu that reflects the overall wedding theme and your favourite dishes.
If you would like to chat with a member of our wedding team then please do contact us at venuehire@10unionstreet.com or on 02077726381, they would be delighted to start helping you plan your big day!
We all love summer here; the weather is warmer, the days are longer and the 1th floor terrace in The Blue Fin Building is open.
Although exclusively for tenants of the building currently, we thought we’d show you the beauty of the terrace in this post.
Looking over bankside and the City of London, this spot is the perfect spot for lunch. Or when the bar is open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings it becomes a lively spot to enjoy the evening sunshine whilst unwinding with a chilled glass of wine or beer.
We just love coming up here and enjoying the majestic views!
Read More
Every month we like to show one of our venues a bit of appreciation and highlight their unique and wonderful spaces, and this month we have crowned 10 Union Street our venue of the month.
10 Union Street opened newly refurbished in March 2020, comprising of 13 event spaces across three floors it is truly a stunning venue.
With all floors connected by a stunning spiral staircase and glass atrium it is flooded with natural daylight and offers state-of-the-art AV in all spaces, you are spoilt for choice.
The versatile venue is also licensed for weddings and both the Main Hall and the Entrance Hall make beautiful and unique backdrops for your ceremony.
The experience here is enhanced by Head Chef Jason Bunting‘s passion for food, which is brought alive through innovative menus and the use of locally sourced ingredients.
Located a stone’s throw from London Bridge adjacent to Borough Market, this venue is in easy distance of the City and Bankside areas.
10 Union Street also boasts a digital studio and podcast room which can be hired as part of the venue spaces or independently. The podcast booth holds up to 4 people and can be used for live streaming or recording purposes.
The digital studio can also be used for recording, presentations, panel debates or interviews. The in-house three camera set up with autocue will enable the smoothest of experiences for our clients’ needs whether it is filming a one-on-one interview or a pre-recorded announcement.
Our sales team at 10 Union Street would be delighted to help you plan your event and bring your vision to life! You can contact them at events@10unionstreet.com
As summer draws to a close, the time has come to start planning for your 2022 Christmas parties!
Celebrate Christmas in style this year at one of our iconic and versatile venues. Whatever your theme, budget or capacity we have the perfect space and package for you. From large luxurious banquets to small intimate festive celebrations, or even a drinks reception party with spectacular views looking over the city of London.
Check out our 2022 Christmas packages here https://www.graysonsvenues.com/events/christmas/
If you would like to discuss your event further or learn more about how we can customise your Christmas party to suit you, please contact us at venuesales@graysons.com
We look forward to helping you make your Christmas event come to life!
We are delighted to announce we have recently launched a virtual tour feature on our website for 10 Union Street.
The 3D tour allows you to discover all of our event spaces in the comfort of your own home, to help you decide whether our versatile venue would be ideal for your event needs before coming down to do an in-person viewing.
The tour additionally includes features that allow you to look at the event spaces set up for weddings, read about capacities and transport links as well as discover more about our on-site catering.
The team at Headbox were on hand every step of the way to help bring this brilliant feature to life, and we are so pleased with the results!
Take your virtual viewing here https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=qb7hHfXikHb
Please do contact us if you would like to arrange an in person viewing or would like more information on the venue by emailing us at events@10unionstreet.co.uk and we would be thrilled to discuss your future event with you!
Every month we like to show some appreciation to one of our venues for both the fantastic work they do as well as highlighting their unique and beautiful event spaces, and this month we have crowned 113 Chancery Lane our Venue of the Month!
113 Chancery Lane is the latest addition to the Graysons Venue portfolio and last night they hosted a spectacular showcase event to celebrate our new partnership. The event was a fantastic team effort from all involved and was a wonderful opportunity for guests to explore the venue as well as tasting some delicious food and drinks. We cant wait to show you more photos of the event!
With nine distinct areas available for hire, 113 Chancery Lane offers versatility, sophistication and impeccable service for events that leave a lasting impression.
Our beautifully refurbished Grade II* listed building presents itself beautifully for many different occasions. The traditional features with contemporary touches are ideal for businesses events – conferences, product launches, informal gatherings and dinners.
The majority of our rooms are fully licensed to perform weddings, meaning we have a space to suit whatever your requirements may be, whether it be a small intimate celebration or a large ceremony. You can also hire out additional spaces for any changing areas, break rooms or extra party space.
The venue also benefits from The Vulliamy Lounge, our restaurant and bar that is open to the public between 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday. Here we serve a selection of hot and cold drinks, light meals, salads, snacks and hand baked cakes and slices. This space can then be transformed into an additional event space for evening functions.
Events are our speciality and we cant wait to help you organise your next function, please contact us at venuehire@113chancerylane.co.uk or by calling 020 7320 9555 to discuss our packages in more detail.
Photo Credit – Matt Chung Photography
Looking for somewhere to host your next event? Look no further than Farmers & Fletchers in the City!
Farmers and Fletchers in the City is our unique and versatile venue in the heart of the City, perfect for conferences, meetings, receptions, dinners and private parties, accommodating up to 260 guests.
Ancient and modern come together beautifully in this stunning, recently refurbished livery hall which combines flexible purpose-designed event spaces with the rich heritage of London’s medieval guilds. The venue comprises of four event spaces that are available individually or combined for exclusive hire depending on your event needs.
We have last minute availability for a handful of dates in October for DDR bookings and private dinners, we have also just released our 2022 Christmas package which you can check out here https://www.graysonsvenues.com/venue/farmers-fletchers-hall/
For more information about our upcoming availability or to plan your next event with us, then please do contact one of our team on info@farmersfletcherscity.london or by calling 020 7600 2064.
We cant wait to help you plan your next event!
Read More
Hailed as one of Sussex’s favourite winter events, Glow Wild returns to Wakehurst for 2022. Kicking off from 24th November 2022 and running all the way through to 1st January 2023 it really is an event not to be missed!
The trail this year will be celebrating the ‘Spectrum of Colours’ in nature and each part of the trail will be doused in glowing lights to represent this. This year for the first time, there will also be Food Huts along the trail serving delicious seasonal treats, such as loaded jacket potatoes and mini cinnamon dusted apple pies, as well as mulled wine and malted hot chocolates.
In The Seeds Café we will be serving a delicious two course menu for pre-bookings. To make a reservation please visit the Wakehurst website, all reservations include a choice of a alcoholic or non acholic drink with your meal. If you are unsure of whether you would like a sit down meal or not we will be serving up delicious hot food options in the Stables Restaurant, this area will be for walk ins only so please do drop in before or after your trail slot if you fancy a more substantial meal.
We will be releasing more information about the event, including some sneak peaks at the food we will have on offer, over the coming weeks, so please do keep an eye out on our website and social media platforms to find out more.
To book your tickets and your table at the Seeds Café visit https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on/glow-wild-2022
We look forward to seeing you there!
Are you looking for a venue to hold your next event? Look no further than our beautiful and historic Painters’ Hall!
Comprising of three rooms, the venue lends itself perfectly to conferences, meetings, dinners, drinks receptions and parties for up to 320 guests! Each of our event rooms are unique, featuring stunning original and contemporary paintings and stained glass windows that are immaculately maintained. despite being a historical venue Painters’ Hall is equipped with state of the art audio visual equipment and dedicated fibre optic broadband which offers clients the perfect modern amenities against a wonderful historic backdrop.
The Livery Hall
The largest and grandest of the three rooms at Painters’ Hall, The Livery Hall is a fantastic space for conferences, banquets or wedding receptions. It can accommodate a reception for up to 320 guests on the building’s first floor, approached via an oak staircase as well as a modern lift providing disabled access. The splendidly proportioned Hall is hung with a fine collection of Royal Portraits dating from the late 17th century through to today’s Royal Family, as well as some splendid historical paintings.
The Courtroom
Hosting up to 50 guests for a sit down dinner or up to 150 for a standing reception, The Courtroom offers a versatile and beautiful event space. Interconnecting doors slide back to join The Courtroom and The Courtroom Dining Hall, together these rooms present an ideal setting for pre-dinner drinks before ascending to the Livery Hall or for professional business meetings, presentations or smaller lunches and dinner parties.
The Painted Chamber
Accommodating just 16 people around its polished wooden boardroom table, the style and history of the Painted Chamber provides enchanting and intimate surroundings for special occasions such as business meetings, small lunches or private dining. Some of the most important treasures of Painters’ Hall are located in this room, giving the space a real sense of history and elegance.
If you would like to find out more information about our stunning venue or to book your next event, then please do contact us at paintershall@graysons.com. We can’t wait to help you plan your next event!
On 27th September as part of City Giving Day 2022 the Graysons team at Haberdashers’ Hall joined the Haberdashers’ Company, as well as the Lord Mayor, in a sponsored cycle to raise money for 3 key youth charities that do absolutely fantastic work in helping youths build better futures through practical training and employment skills; Construction Youth Trust, EY Foundation and XLP, plus the Haberdashers’ Foundation.
The teams aim was to cycle 114.8km over the course of the day, 1448 being a key date for the Haberdashers’ as it was the date the company received it’s Royal Charter!
In absolutely fantastic effort by everyone involved the Haberdashers’, team members and friends of the foundation cycled a total of 327km and so far have raised over £5,500 for their chosen youth charities.
If you would like donate to the foundation please do follow this link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/habs2022
Well done to everyone involved for an absolute heroic effort raising money for such a great cause!
At 10 Union Street we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and making sure that we leave a positive impact on the planet in the work that we do here. Below we have described the simple everyday ways we do this.
Bees & Wild Flowers
Our rooftops at 10 Union Street have become home to not only an abundance of wild flowers and herbs but also our very own colony of bees. From spring last year we have raised two hives of bees on our rooftop garden to help the pollination of our wild flowers and to increase local biodiversity. Our plan by next May will be to harvest our own 10 Union Street honey which we will use in our food & beverage offerings as well as making this available to buy in our onsite Café. We are currently in discussion with ‘Bankside Urban Forest’ an initiative put together by Better Bankside to transform the network of streets and spaces across Bankside, to help us develop our gardens further.
Café
In our Cafe we use Crude Coffee as our supplier. Crude, like us, are committed to sustainability and ensuring flavour is delivered in its ‘purest, crudest form’. For our hot food options we have stepped away from meat options and are embracing a completely vegetarian and plant based hot food menu, with the likes of vegetarian moussaka and vegetable cottage pie featuring.
Composting & Coffee Grounds
We put all of our food waste onsite into our ‘hot-composting’ scheme. We are currently looking into finding compostable bags to store these in, so that members of the college and the public can collect a bag to use at home, we will also be donating bags of compost to the Bankside Urban Forest project. For the time being however this compost is not going to waste and is being used to fertilise our rooftop garden.
Our coffee grounds are following the same journey and are being offered to anyone at the college who would like to use these in their gardens.
Plastic Free
Our front of house operation at 10 Union Street is COMPLETELY plastic free, something that we are immensely proud to boast about here! All of our food packaging, coffee cups, coffee lids and drinks receptacles are made out of recyclable or compostable material, meaning we have no unnecessary waste onsite. We are currently working with Better Bankside also to see if we can further stretch this even further throughout the site.
The Building
The building itself of 10 Union Street also embraces our green initiatives. All electricity in the building has been switched to 100% renewable energy provisions. Our new cooling, heating and lighting systems have significantly reduced the CO2 emissions and running costs. These new systems and changes in building operations reduced CO2 emissions by 43% compared to the old system used.
We have plenty more green initiatives in the pipeline, so please do keep an eye out for these; and if you would like any more information regarding this venue please contact us at events@10unionstreet.co.uk
Are you planning a visit to Wakehurst this year for Glow Wild 2022? Be sure to check out our wonderful food and drink huts whilst you explore the trail if you are!
We will be serving delicious and warming seasonal treats from 4 different “huts”, two food and two beverage huts, for you to enjoy whilst you explore the trail.
Our savoury delights include Jacket Potatoes with delicious topping such as turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce and stuffing or butternut squash with mixed beans, and loaded buns with fillings like pulled pork or ‘Vegan Christmas Dinner’. For those with a sweeter tooth we will be offering bags of deep fried cinnamon dusted apple pies.
If you fancy a drink to warm your hands around on your walk through the gardens why not try a cup of our house mulled wine or a deviously moreish malted hot chocolate.
Keep an eye here as we will be revealing more of the mouth-watering food we will have available throughout Glow Wild, including sit-down, pre-booked dinners at the Seeds Café.
Book your tickets for this years Glow Wild at https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on/glow-wild-2022
Every month we like to show some appreciation to one of our venues and highlight its wonderful event spaces and amenities. And this month we have crowned Farmers & Fletchers in the City as our venue of the month.
Farmers & Fletchers in the City is a fresh, exciting, versatile destination for corporate events, private celebrations, networking and hospitality. Ancient and modern come together beautifully in this stunning, recently refurbished Livery Hall which combines flexible purpose-designed event spaces with the rich heritage of London’s medieval guilds.
Comprising of four different event spaces or available on an exclusive basis, we can accommodate a whole host of functions from parties and dinners to meetings and conferences for up to 260 guests. With contemporary AV facilities and stunning catering we can provide the perfect backdrop for your next event.
A minute’s walk from the Barbican, the venue benefits from a variety of public transport options right on the doorstep including tube, train and bus routes.
Farmers & Fletchers in the City is home to both one of London’s oldest livery companies – the Worshipful Company of Fletchers – and the relatively young Worshipful Company of Farmers. Ancient and modern come together beautifully in this stunning, recently refurbished livery hall which combines flexible purpose-designed event spaces with the rich heritage of London’s medieval guilds. We’ve completely refurbished our venue from the ground up – creating an interior design that’s stylish, contemporary and elegant while staying true to our traditional and quintessentially British roots.
The venue is ideal for whatever your next event may be, with inbuilt wireless AV equipment and comfortable modern décor and furniture, Farmers & Fletchers in the City provides an environment that’s truly conducive to productive working. We can also host cocktail receptions for up to 160 and dinners for up to 120. From canapes or bowl food to spectacular feasts.
If you would like to host your next event at Farmers & Fletchers in the City or would like any additional information about this venue then please do contact us at enquiries@farmersfletcherscity.london
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Looking for some inspiration to keep the kid’s entertained this October half term, then look no further than Wakehurst.
From 15th to 31st October, the gardens will be playing host to Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s children’s classic ‘Room on the Broom’ – adventure through our wild botanic garden, following Witch’s trail to see if you can find the items she’s lost along her way. Don’t forget to watch out for Dragon on your journey!
To celebrate this adventure and to get into the Halloween spirit, we will be including ‘spooky biscuits’ and ‘decorate your own Halloween cupcake’ kits in our kid’s lunchboxes during this time. Our lunchboxes are available to pick up from any of our food outlets.
Also be sure to check out our daily changing hot sandwich menu or taste one of our delicious homemade pasties, to keep you warm whilst you explore the gardens.
The Orangery and Courtyard at Haberdashers’ Hall add a beautiful and unique feature to our beautiful venue in the City of London.
From the moment you walk through Haberdashers’ Hall’s grand iron gates your attention is focussed on the tranquil courtyard garden, with its beautiful modern water feature, hand-cut lawn and fabulous array of sculptures, you almost wouldn’t believe you were standing in the hear of the city. The large, light-filled Orangery’s floor-to-ceiling windows open directly onto the garden, enabling up to 450 guests throughout.
On entering 10 Union Street you are immediately led to the light-filled Atrium, with its dramatically striking spiral staircase being the focal point of the space and creating a stunning backdrop for your event.
The Atrium is flooded in natural light from its floor to ceiling windows, and white brick work that is displayed throughout; this makes the Atrium the perfect blank canvas for whatever your event may be.
We offer a variety of packages for events in the Atrium, whether it be a lavish cocktail reception before ascending the staircase for your sit down dinner in the main hall or an intimate wedding breakfast for up to 54 guests, with the option to move into the adjoining space to party the rest of the night away!
To find out more information about the Atrium and the exclusive event packages we offer for this space, please contact one of our sales team at events@10unionstreet.co.uk or by calling 02077726381
Looking for somewhere to host your next event? Why not try our beautiful and historic Painters’ Hall? We have listed below three reasons why this venue makes the perfect backdrop for any event!
1.Location, location, location!
Painters’ Hall is conveniently located within London’s bustling square mile, making it the ideal setting for post-work events. Being located so close to Mansion House and Bank also means there’s no shortage of transport links!
2.The best of both worlds
Painters’ Hall is located in an area renowned for it’s modern infrastructure, the interior of the building is equipped with all the modern and necessary technology needed to pull off a great event, yet the interior design of the building takes you through a journey of London as far back as the 17th Century. Painters’ Hall has many historical elements which adorn the walls, from stain-glassed windows to oak panelling and carvings from the 1670’s!
3.Elegance, style, and grandeur
With its crystal chandeliers, royal portraits and floor to ceiling stain-glass windows, the Livery Hall at Painters’ Hall exudes an air of glitz and glamour. The Livery Hall has been the location for many receptions, dinners, and weddings to name a few, it really is a breath-taking space if you’re looking to impress your guests!
To book your next event at Painters’ Hall or to find out more information regarding the venue please do contact us at paintershall@graysons.com
We have teamed up with Broken Clock Vodka, an English vodka crafted by time in the North of England’ who’s flavours are inspired by beautiful botanical gardens to bring you three cocktails exclusive to Graysons.
The cocktails are offered as part of our drinks packages at all of our venues, if you would like to add a seasonal welcome cocktail to your canape reception or a deliciously moreish digestiff, for those that would like something a bit different to port, to your event.
Broken Clock is our house-pour at both 113 Chancery Lane and we are hoping to introduce this across our sites.
To kick off this partnership we thought we would share the recipe to our wonderfully autumnal ‘Bittersweet Spritz’ which makes the perfect pre-dinner drink.
40ml Broken Clock Vodka
20ml Campari
5ml Fresh Lime Juice
Top up Ginger Beer
Garnish: Grapefruit zest/sprig of mint
Add the Broken Clock Vodka, Campari and a squeeze of lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice and shake until well mixed. (adjust to taste if needed)
Strain into a wide glass filled with ice.
Top up with Ginger Beer
Garnish with grapefruit or a sprig of mint.
Enjoy!
Read MoreWith just a month to go until Glow Wild begins to kick off at Wakehurst, we are beginning to get excited! This year we will be offering two locations to enjoy a sit down meal; the Seeds Café which will be for those who have pre-booked only are offering a 2 course meal with a choice of alcoholic or no-alcoholic drink for just £23.95 per adult or £12.50 for children, and the Stables Kitchen for those who don’t wish to pre-book and would prefer to decide their meal on the day!
In Seed’s Café the menu will include deliciously warming dishes such as Local breed pork sausages with creamy mash and slow cooked red onion gravy and Sweet potato, spinach and coconut pie served with seasonal vegetables. For dessert they offering tasty treats such as Pecan tart with clotted cream or Vegan chocolate and salted caramel brownie. To see the full menu or to book your table visit https://glowwild.seetickets.com/content/dining
Stables Kitchen will be offering similar menu for walk in guests, alongside Jacket potatoes with a choice of toppings and a selection of sweet and savoury snacks.
If you still haven’t booked your ticket for Glow Wild, click here to be taken through to the booking page
We look forward to seeing you there!
Every month we like to show some appreciation to one of our venues, by highlighting their beautiful event spaces and wonderful team effort. And this month we have crowned Painters’ Hall our Venue of the Month!
Set in the City of London, Painters’ Hall is a truly unique events venue. Combining unique art and valued heritage, this Livery Hall boasts beautiful art amongst scenes dating back to the 16th century. Each of the event rooms are unique, featuring stunning original and contemporary paintings and stained glass windows that are immaculately maintained.
Comprising of three rooms, the venue lends itself perfectly to conferences, meetings, dinners, drinks receptions and parties for up to 320 guests for hire of the whole venue! Although it may be a historical venue, Painters’ Hall is equipped with state of the art audio visual equipment and dedicated fibre optic broadband which offers clients the perfect modern amenities against a wonderful historic backdrop.
The largest and grandest of the three rooms at Painters’ Hall, the Livery Hall is a fantastic space for conferences, banquets or wedding receptions. It can accommodate a reception for up to 320 guests on the building’s first floor, approached via an oak staircase as well as a modern lift providing disabled access. The splendidly proportioned Hall is hung with a fine collection of Royal Portraits dating from the late 17th century through to today’s Royal Family, as well as some splendid historical paintings. Beautiful crystal chandeliers can be controlled to provide appropriate lighting for both daytime and evening use. It also has magnificent stained-glass windows showing the arms of the Liverymen who have been Lord Mayors of the City of London and others who have played a prominent part in the Company’s history.
The Courtroom with its interconnecting doors is the perfect space for a drinks reception followed by an exquisite lunch or dinner in beautiful surroundings. The Painted Chamber is the smallest of the event spaces, accommodating just 16 people around its polished wooden boardroom table, the style and history of the Painted Chamber provides enchanting and intimate surroundings for special occasions such as business meetings, small lunches or private dining. We also have high-tech AV available in all of our rooms upon request.
All of our spaces are open and inviting, making them the perfect space to hold your next event. So whether you prefer The Painted Chamber for a smaller private meeting or our Livery Hall for a large banquet or wedding reception, we are sure to have the room to fulfil whatever your event needs may be.
To find out more information regarding this stunning venue or to book your next event, please do contact a member of the sales team at paintershall@graysons.com who would be delighted to assist you with your enquiry.
Read More
Glow Wild 2022 is now in full swing, until the 1st January. The magical event kicked off on the 23rd November with a preview night for press, staff and friends of Wakehurst, followed by the official opening on the 24th November.
Back for it’s 9th year; this year, Glow Wild celebrates the spectrum of colours in nature, inviting you to explore how we see colour and the role it plays in our daily lives. On the food side of things we have both Seeds Café and Stables Kitchen serving a sit down meal of delicious warming classics to enjoy before or after your slot around the trail. Around the trail you can enjoy festive treats and tipples from our four Chalets, that will be serving classic mince pies and mulled wine alongside loaded jacket potatoes and Christmas buns.
Also keep an eye out for our reusable cups that we will be serving all our beverages in this year! Just enjoy your drink and then pop your cup into one of the marked green bins – the cups will then be collected, washed and used again the following week. The aim of this initiative will be to save thousands of disposable cups ending up in landfill, thus reducing our carbon footprint throughout the event.
There are still some slots left throughout December so if you haven’t booked your ticket yet head to https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on/glow-wild-2022 and book your slot!
Our recently refurbished Livery Hall is the perfect spot for a whole range of fantastic events!
Comprising of four different event spaces or available for exclusive hire. The event spaces are versatile and all come equipped as standard with wireless AV equipment and plasma screens, thus making it a great spot for your next meeting or business event. The open and inviting floor plan means that whatever space you choose no one will be stuck behind a pillar or have a restricted view. Our three smaller event rooms make for great break out spaces, as well as the ideal spot for a business breakfast.
The venue can host cocktail and canape receptions for up to 160 guests and sit down banquets for up to 120, with a wide range of delicious and innovative menus to choose from. In the smaller rooms we can host 8 to 32 guests, perfect for client entertaining or a private celebration, with discreet and attentive service in elegant surroundings.
Farmers and Fletchers in the City is located just a two minute walk from the Farringdon Elizabeth Line and the same distance from Barbican tube station, the venue therefore is an ideal spot for crew space, equipment and dressing rooms if you are filming in and around this beautiful, historic part of the City.
To find out more information about this venue or to arrange a site visit please contact one of our sales team at enquiries@farmersfletcherscity.london
We look forward to helping your event dreams come to life.
We are delighted to announce Dartmouth House in London’s Mayfair has joined the Graysons Venue portfolio as our latest addition!
Dartmouth House is an elegant and historic mansion in the heart of Mayfair just a 6 minute walk from Green Park station, and home to the English Speaking Union. The venue comprises of four unique events spaces, which are perfect for a wide range of events from breakfast meetings to lavish weddings. The venue also benefits from the beautiful French inspired courtyard, an oasis in central London, that is perfect for summer drinks receptions, conference lunch breaks and an outdoor spot for your wedding blessing. Visit our website at https://dartmouthhouse.co.uk/ to see our spaces in more detail and to find out our capacities in each of our event spaces.
The unique and elegant features around the building, including the striking marble staircase make the perfect backdrop for filming and photography also, the interior being featured already in many magazine shoots and TV shows including Sherlock and Mr Selfridge.
We are so excited about this new partnership and cannot wait to see what the future holds for Graysons and Dartmouth House.
To arrange a site visit or to find out more information about the venue please do contact a member of the sales team at dartmouthhouse@graysons.com
Every month we like to show one of our venues and highlight all the great work they have done; and this month we have crowned Wakehurst our venue of the month!
Between the 24th November to the 1st January, Wakehurst played host to Glow Wild, a spectacular light trail that featured festive food chalets and restaurants throughout the route. During this time the team ran the initiative of serving all drinks in reusable cup, saving 65,000 cups ending up in landfill during the entirety of the event. The team did amazingly well during this time, and put in no stop effort to make this annual event a roaring success serving over 77,000 visitors during this month.
Wakehurst is home to three permanent catering sites; Seeds Cafe, Stables Kitchen and the Pantry. So do make sure to visit one of these during your visit and taste one of their delicious cakes, homemade pasties or daily changing hot specials.
The venue can also host a whole range of events from weddings to company away days. Whatever your event needs are, talk to one of our team and we will try and make your dreams become a reality!
With lots of plans in the pipeline, including launching our ‘Viewing Platform’ package and events in our ‘Walled Garden’ we cannot wait to see what the rest of the year holds for Wakehurst.
To find out more information or to book a site visit please do contact one of our team on wakehursthire@graysons.com
Painters’ Hall is our beautiful and unique Livery Hall in the heart of the city of London! The venue comprises of 3 stunning events spaces, and is available for exclusive hire; the perfect venue for whatever your event needs may be.
The Painted Chamber is the smallest and most intimate of the event spaces at Painters’ Hall. The space accommodates just 16 people around its polished wooden boardroom table, the style and history of the Painted Chamber provides enchanting and intimate surroundings for special occasions such as business meetings, small lunches or private dining. The Painted Chamber can also host up to 20 people for a standing drinks and canape reception, for intimate private parties.
Some of the most important treasures of Painters’ Hall are located in this room. The painted panels executed in the early 18th Century for the previous Hall were carefully removed and preserved prior to the Hall’s destruction as a result of enemy action. The panels hang on walls which are a wonderful modern example of the Painter-Stainers’ art – they are decorated to appear as wooden paneling, and provide an elegant backdrop for your events.
To find out more information about the Painted Chamber or Painters’ Hall please contact one of our sale team at paintershall@graysons.com
In the new year, we announced the news that Dartmouth House was joining the Graysons Venue portfolio so to celebrate this joyous union we held a drinks and canapes reception on Tuesday night with members from Graysons and the English Speaking Union (ESU).
Since the pandemic, this is the first time members, volunteers and sponsors have visited Dartmouth House and been introduced to the new collaboration between the English Speaking Union and Graysons. The drinks and canapes were sponsored by Graysons so it was guaranteed that no glass was left half empty throughout the night. It was wonderful to see the rooms filled with a buzz of laughter, chatter and music from a live pianist.
Director General of ESU, Jane Easton praised the evening of being ‘a huge success for the charity, and we had so many lovely comments about the new catering… and the friendliness and efficiency of staff.’
We look forward to the return of the members to this beautiful Georgian mansion, who can now enjoy a light refreshment, lunch or hosting their own private event at the wonderful Dartmouth House.
Want to see the venue yourselves? To arrange a site visit or to find out more information about the venue please do contact a member of the sales team on 02075291554 or email dartmouthhouse@graysons.com
The backdrop to your meeting and conferences can make a huge difference to the success of the day! From small breakfast meeting to large all day conferences, and even week long exhibitions; Farmers and Fletchers in the City makes the perfect spot for your event. We have listed below 3 reasons why you should consider Farmers and Fletchers in the City for your next business event:
State of the art AV
Farmers & Fletchers in the City benefits from state of the art AV systems in each of its function rooms. The Courtroom on the Ground Floor boasts 2 wide screen plasma tv’s, excellent speakers and access to Microsoft Teams and video conferencing systems. In the Main Hall the space comes as standard with a projector and built in screen, lectern and microphone, and fully operational smart light system to create to perfect mood for the day.
Location
The venue is ideally located within a 2 minute walk from the brand new Farringdon Elizabeth Line station meaning it is an ideal commute for those travelling into London from outside the city. It is also the same distance from Barbican tube station, 6 minutes from Farringdon Main Line Station and the same from City Thameslink station.
Catering Options
Our on-site kitchen team have put together a wide selection of seasonal menus to cater for whatever your event may be. From DDR packages to themed buffet lunches, we will have a menu to suit you. Our events team will work with you to put together a fantastic spread to suit any dietary requirement, special diet or occasion.
To book your next business event with us or to arrange a site visit, please contact our sales team at enquiries@farmersfletcherscity.london
Each month we choose a venue from the Graysons portfolio to highlight all the amazing things that they have done. This month we’ve crowned Haberdashers Hall as our venue of the month!
Haberdashers Hall is known for being involved with many charities, sponsoring schools and offering grants to those that are overlooked in society.
Children from the collection of Haberdashers schools all over the country are invited every year in their first year of secondary education to visit Haberdashers Hall and spend the day exploring our history. They participate in 500-year-old Haberdashers’ traditions, work with storytellers and historical reenactors, create their own versions of the Haberdashers’ crest and explore the Hall and its centuries old and modern works of art.
If that wasn’t enough Haberdashers Hall is also a popular venue of choice for Livery meetings, wine tastings, weddings and business events as the Livery halls and rooms are all highly versatile and easily accommodating for all. We can host up to 350 guests for a reception in the Livery Hall ideal for a large event or 24 in the Court room if you’re looking for a professional board room style setting that will definitely impress your clients.
To find out more information or to book a site visit please contact one of our team on haberdashershall@graysons.com
Although summer might seem a lifetime away. This cold winter chill has us dreaming of summer evenings on our Blue Fin Terrace!
The Terrace is an impressive space for drinks receptions, al fresco dinners, BBQ and private parties, with panoramic views overlooking the London skyline and the iconic Shard building.
Inside, the 11th floor function suites can be used for an array of events including awards ceremonies, dinners and receptions. The spaces have high ceilings and large floor to ceiling windows, basking the function suites in plenty of natural daylight, as well as impressive views of the city.
For residents of the building the beautiful terrace bar will be open Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout the summer months (weather dependant a few spring evenings too).
To find out more information about this stunning venue or to arrange a site visit please contact us on venuesales@graysons.com
Until then, we will be dreaming of summer!
Already thinking about booking your Christmas party? Well, we’ve got the ideal venue for you!
Farmers and Fletchers in the City based in Barbican has easy public transport links, is a minutes walk from Barbican station and has a nearby car park so it is easily accessible from wherever you are located.
This highly versatile venue can accommodate up to 260 guests with a range of purpose built rooms each with sound absorbent acoustics so you can party the night away without worrying about disturbing the neighbours.
Our chefs can create a bespoke festive menu just for you so whether you’re looking for a more casual canapes and drinks reception or a a more formal sit down meal we can work with you in making your Christmas that much more merrier.
For further information and our upcoming availability to plan your next event with us, please contact one a member of our team on info@farmersfletcherscity.london or by calling 020 7600 2064.
We look forward to seeing you this Christmas!
We are delighted to announce that Graysons will exhibiting at the London Summer Event Show which will take place on 21st-22nd March in Banking Hall
Graysons will be based on stand B22, where we will exhibiting our beautiful and unique venues and help you find the the ideal location for your next event, whatever that may be!
The London Summer Event Show is a boutique exhibition that brings together a mix of the best summer venues and suppliers with hundreds of top event buyers.
With a month to go until the event kicks off, make sure you register to attend this not to miss event. Registration is open at https://portal.londonsummereventshow.com/events/26/applications/create
Every month we like to show some appreciation to one of our venues and highlight all the incredible work they do. For March therefore we have crowned 113 Chancery Lane our venue of the month.
113 Chancery Lane is a unique and historic venue, and home to The Law Society. The nine event spaces are versatile and each boast their own personality and style. We can host a wide range of private events and celebrations, whether it is a standing drinks reception, or a buffet or bowl food event.
A key feature of the building is the newly refurbished Council Chamber which offers audio visual facilities to rival any London Venue. Its tiered ergonomic seating can host up to 100 people including space for wheelchair users. Each seat has its own power source and microphone.The room boasts 4 in-built plasma screen, inclusive Wi-Fi and a remote panel for blinds and lighting, as well as an adjacent breakout room provided with the hire of The Council Chamber.
The venue are also currently in the process of refurbishing and opening a sleek new restaurant, ‘Six Clerks’ within the building. The restaurant will boast a fresh menu with a focus on sustainability and seasonality; following the British seasonal calendar for ingredients. Where possible our chefs will draw inspiration from global flavours whilst using traditional classic techniques in their dishes. Please do keep an eye on both www.113chancerylane.co.uk and www.six-clerks.co.uk to find out more information and to make a reservation once these are open to book.
To find out more information regarding the venue or to book a site visit here please contact one of the sales team at venuehire@113chancerylane.co.uk
Although the weather is cold, summer and the hope of warmer weather really is just around the corner. With this thought in mind, have you considered where you will host your summer parties?
Whatever you are looking for, Graysons are bound to have the venue that is right for you. We have a number of venues with outdoor event spaces; perfect for the warmer weather, as well as venues bathed in natural light and suitable for any function.
We will be exhibiting our beautiful venues at the London Summer Events Show on the 21st & 22nd February in Banking Hall, where we will be showcasing how our venues make for the perfect summer party spot. Drop my stand B7 if you are in attendance, where a member of our events team would be delighted to talk with you. Registration is still open for the event here
In the meantime do reach out to one of our team at venuesales@graysons.com
Hosting an award dinner at a Haberdashers’ Hall is a great way to celebrate and recognize the achievements of your team or organization. Haberdashers’ Hall is a historic and elegant venues located in the heart of London, steeped in tradition and history. The sense of grandeur and sophistication is hard to replicate in many venues and makes the perfect backdrop for your company event.
Haberdashers’ Hall boasts an array of unique features and facilities; the Livery Hall that can accommodate your guest list comfortably, has good acoustics for speeches, offers excellent catering facilities and boasts a beautiful courtyard that can be used for pre-dinner drinks or a post-award reception.
We have an extensive list of recommend suppliers that can provide additional AV equipment, DJ’s, musicians and decor; that will be guaranteed to make your event truly special.
If you would like to find out more information regarding our event packages please contact a member of our sales team on haberdashershall@graysons.com
Did you recently get engaged? On the 21st of March, we had a wedding showcase inviting engaged couples and people from the wedding industry to explore our beautifully laid out rooms at Dartmouth House.
Surrounded by an ornately carved ceiling and baroque wall decorations the Small Drawing Room was transformed into a comfortable drinks lounge complete with stylish furniture from Velvet Living. Guests can imagine their prospective wedding guests enjoying a couple glasses of bubbly before moving into the adjoining Long Drawing Room and sitting down for a delicious meal at a bespoke floral tablescape decorated by Pink Palms.
Next door in the Churchill Room, the fireplace is decorated with floral arrangements and the chairs are set out in theatre style (we can accommodate 100) as if a ceremony was taking place with the bride and groom exchanging vowels.
Over 70 guests arrived to champagne and were then taken on guided tours nibbling on canapes circulated throughout the night and took home a goody bag filled with a bottle of prosecco, macarons, information of the venue and details of our trusted suppliers.
We’d like to give a big thank you to all the wonderful suppliers below that took part in our showcase.
Erzulie Cakes info@erzuliecakes.com
Florist info@pinkpalms.co.uk
Furniture info@velvetliving.co.uk
Blank Canvas info@blankcanvasentertainment.co.uk
If you missed the showcase and would like to arrange a site visit or to find out more information about the venue please contact a member of the sales team at dartmouthhouse@graysons.com
Held two Fridays before Good Friday, on the 24th of March the annual United Guilds Service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the work of all Livery Companies in the City of London followed by a luncheon hosted by Graysons at the Livery Hall. It was a super busy day for Graysons, as we also had luncheons at our fellow venues Painters’ Hall and Haberdashers’ Hall.
The first United Guilds Service was held on February 1943 in response to the damages caused by the Blitz of 1940-41 to the City of London. It was also a reminder of the religious origins of the Guilds with the Bishop of London and Lord Mayor in attendance, this tradition is still carried on to this day every year.
Guests were welcomed to Farmers’ and Fletchers’ in the City with a glass of prosecco on arrival and then seated for a delicious three-course lunch of salmon gravlax, tender beef fillet, apricot tart and lastly coffee and petit fours. The event ran smoothly, led by impeccable service from the team throughout the day and was praised by guests for their attentiveness and efficiency.
If you’d like to make a booking or book a site visit around please email enquiries@farmersfletcherscity.london or call +44 (0) 20 7600 2064.
Every month we love to show some extra appreciation to one of our venues and highlight the fantastic work they do, and this month we have crowned Dartmouth House our Venue of the Month.
Dartmouth House is the latest addition in the Graysons Venues portfolio and what a wonderful addition to the team they are! Based in the heart of Mayfair, just a five minute walk from Green Park; Dartmouth House is an ideal events, conference and wedding location.
The elegant mansion boasts four unique events spaces, as well as a beautiful french inspired courtyard; a rare find in central London.
Recently the venue hosted a fabulous wedding showcase, which gave couples looking to get married or who have already planned their wedding at Dartmouth House a chance to explore the venue, chat to our dedicated events team and sample some delicious food and wine. The evening was absolute roaring success and the team all put in a fantastic effort to make it so!
We cannot wait to see whats next from this iconic venue, and to take full advantage of its stunning courtyard this summer – Aperol Spritz’ all round!
To find out more information regarding Dartmouth House or to book a site visit then please do contact one of our team at dartmouthhouse@graysons.com or by calling on 020 7529 1554
We cant wait to host your next event with you soon!
Read MoreWe are delighted to announce that Haberdashers’ Hall will be hosting this years London Christmas Party Show alongside Story Events for the second year running!
The London Christmas Party Show is a boutique exhibition that brings together a mix of the best Christmas venues and suppliers with hundreds of top event buyers, looking for inspiration for their next event.
The Show’s split event format consists of a VIP evening event and a full day dedicated to all things festive. After the success of last years event we are so excited that Haberdashers’ Hall will once again be decked out to its full festive glory.
This years show will take place on the 18th-19th July; registration is yet to be open however save the date!
We cant wait to reveal more details in the coming weeks!
Every month we like to show some appreciation to one of our venues and highlight all of its fantastic features; and this month we have crowned 10 Union Street our ‘Venue of the Month’!
10 Union Street located just a stones throw away from Borough Market is one of our most versatile venues, with it’s white stone walls and industrial style ceilings making it the perfect space for a huge range of events.
The venue is also a hugely sustainable choice, if that is something you consider when making your choice of event space. The rooftops at 10 Union Street are home to an abundance of wildflowers and our very own buzzing bees. From spring last year we have raised two hives of bees on our rooftop garden to help the pollination of our wild flowers and to increase local biodiversity. From April the honey harvested from these colonies now appears across our menus.
The Front of House operation at 10 Union Street is also completely plastic free and all food waste within the building is is put to use through our ‘hot-composting’ scheme.
The venue boasts 13 event spaces which can be hired individually, by floor or as a whole venue. Each of these spaces has state of the art AV, and virtual meeting compatible.
With packages available for every occasion and with 3 of the spaces licensed for wedding ceremonies, 10 Union Street couldn’t be a better option for your next event!
To find out more information please do contact one of our sales team at events@10unionstreet.co.uk
We cant wait to help you plan your dream event!
Read More
Have you considered Haberdashers’ Hall for your next event? Our beautiful venue in the heart of the historic Smithfield square may be the perfect venue for you!
The venue consists of six beautiful spaces, the largest being The Livery Hall, with oak panelled walls, high vaulted ceilings and large windows with views of the Courtyard, meaning the space is bathed in natural light.
The Livery Hall can host up to 185 on round tables for dinner and 240 in a theatre style set up, making it an an impressive space for conferences, dinners and receptions.
From exhibitions to banquets, this space is perfect for whatever your event may be.
To find out more information about Haberdashers’ Hall please contact one of our sales team at haberdashershall@graysons.com
Our venue of the month comes in the form of Farmers and Fletchers in the City. Of our three livery venues, this is the most modern but also pays homage to its history.
The location of the venue sits in the heart of the City of London and a few minutes’ walk from Barbican station.
Having been renovated a few years back, the venue hosts the latest technologies and AV. This means the venue can transform for any event whether that is a conference for 10 people, a dinner reception for 90 people or drinks for 260 people.
Throughout the venue its tributes to their livery and history are seen all over, when it came to renovating this venue, they really paid attention to the little details. In the entrance hallway alone, the flooring features ‘chevron style arrows’ which relates to the Fletchers feather at the end of an arrow. The carpet also looks like fresh ploughed fields which relates to the Farmers.
This venue is truly unique and an incredible venue to host any event. To book today or to find out more information, contact the team on enquiries@farmersfletcherscity.london
Read MoreIt is pride month this June and what better way to celebrate it than with LOVE.
At 10 Union Street we are licensed to carry out your big day from start to finish and one unique feature about us is that it can become a blank canvas and you can transform this incredible venue into however you would like it to look.
Our Atrium can be used as an intimate ceremony setting and you could be descending the central spiral staircase to your partner who is ready and waiting for you at the end of the aisle.
If intimate isn’t your thing or you have a larger guest list, we have the space for that too. Our venue spans across 3 floors holding up to 300 in one room, meaning you are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a room.
But it doesn’t just end there, we have a talented team of onsite chef’s lead by Head Chef, Jason Bunting, to ensure that your tummy’s are full and your taste buds are tingling.
Our team will be on hand to ensure that your day runs as smooth as possible from the initial site visit to your big day.
So if you are looking for a unique venue in the Centre of London, contact our team today by email events@10unionstreet.co.uk for more information.
Read More
With less than two weeks to go until the London Christmas Party Show 2023 at Haberdashers Hall, we would be delighted if you would join us!
A must-attend show where the festivities will take place on these days:
Tuesday, 18th July 2023 – from 4:00 pm (for our VIP Agents )
Followed by a full day of activities on
Wednesday, 19th July 2023 – from 08:30 am (for our Event Buyers)
For the second year running the show will be held at our incredible venue, Haberdashers’ Hall, who will be providing a banquet of delicious food and drinks throughout the event.
If you’ve not tried our food yet, now is the chance to – it’s FREE!!
The London Christmas Party Show is the perfect opportunity to connect with numerous event venues and suppliers, take part in festive workshops and attend some of this year’s seminars.
So, if you haven’t already, make sure you register for the event HERE
And if you can’t attend, make sure to keep an eye on our social media where we will be posting all activities.
Are you a speed lover looking for an exciting adventure? Look no further than the Silverstone Museum!
Our Venue of the Month for July is the Silverstone Museum, located within the world-famous Silverstone Circuit. This stunning venue is just a quick 20-minute drive from the M1 and M4, offering your guests an immersive event experience.
If you’re someone who loves speed and seeks thrilling adventures, the Silverstone Museum is the perfect destination for you! It provides an incredible experience for those who want to witness the excitement of racing up close and everything related to the Formula 1 and racer world. It’s a must-visit destination!
Run by Silverstone Heritage Ltd, the museum first opened its doors in 2019 and was once a hangar for the RAF during World War II.
While it’s open to ticketed visitors, the museum can also be hired for small conferences of 14 people or for the exclusive use of the entire venue (can you imagine or private party or corporate event happening at this exciting venue?).
You and your guests can explore the past, present, and future of British motor racing with compelling stories and iconic cars and motorcycles.
If you’re interested in hosting your next event at this incredible venue, please contact our sales team today at bookings@silverstone-experience.co.uk or give us a call at +44 1327 320431.
It has been a week since the London Christmas Party Show was held at Haberdashers’ Hall – what a spectacular event it was.
With a few hundred guests coming through our exquisite venue doors, it didn’t disappoint.
The fair featured various essential exhibitors, including Hard Rock Café, Hilton Hotel, and several other companies specialising in collateral production, events staff agencies, decoration solutions, party attractions, and venues for Christmas parties.
Haberdashers’ Hall, one of the most charming places in The City, was the perfect location for the event, and it is available for hire through our onsite team. Additionally, we were responsible for providing catering, which included delicious finger foods, drinks, and desserts.
Everyone really got into the Christmas spirit, from festive workshops and seminars to booking their 2023 Christmas parties and activities.
Our highlights included talking to everyone that came to our stand, having our silhouettes created by The Silhouettist, taking photos at the PhotoBox photobooth and watching everyone from exhibitors to attendees having a fantastic time.
For Graysons, it was a rather positive event regarding potential contacts. Around a hundred seventy persons who are interested in hiring a venue for their Christmas celebrations. “Now let’s get selling and turn those leads into enquiries……happy converting”, says Najlaa El-Alami, Graysons’ Head of Sales & Marketing.
All photo credit goes to AMMP Media
Read More
We would love to introduce to you our newest venue – Leeds Castle.
A stunning venue with many areas of beauty and looks like a fairy-tale, located a short distance from Maidstone, Kent and close links to London.
The castle came into the hands of Lady Bailie in Although the history around Leeds Castle dates back to the 9th Century, the castle is not your typical medieval castle filled with knights and dungeons, but it is in fact – very modern, tributing to art-deco influences in the interior design.
With the Second World War erupting in 1939, Lady Bailie had to put a halt to her renovation work and instead The Castle was used as a hospital for the ill-fated servicemen retreating from Dunkirk. And in secret, weapons research was carried out on the grounds. Meanwhile, during this time she continued to host house parties which is something Lady Bailie was famous for doing.
With the War coming to an end, Lady Bailie continued her renovations which were completed between 1944-1960.
Many of the rooms are overlooking the incredible moat and lake that surround the castle. With the stunning views, it seems like you are living inside of a movie.
Whilst the castle itself is the main feature – As Graysons, we have seven outlets within the castle grounds where you will find out talented catering team who all produce delicious food. You can get a grab and go lunch on your walks which can be found close to the beach, maze and boathouse or even sit and have a delicious meal overlooking the castle in the Castle View Restaurant, regardless of the occasion, it will be an unforgettable moment.
And for any of your events, from corporate or private to even weddings – our team will be able to provide all catering for you.
Beth Granby
Read More
10 Union Street is a venue that is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring they leave a positive impact on the planet all year round, making it your ideal green event space.
From the roof to the bottom floor, as a building, it has managed to become greener just by changing a few things; by doing this, it has managed to reduce its CO2 emissions by 43% by changing the cooling, heating, and lighting supply but have also switched to 100% renewable energy provisions.
Starting at the top, on the roof, the talented maintenance team installed some wildflower beds and, to help with pollination, some bee hives too. This is in the hope that it leads to cleaner air in the area and it is a project the team at 10 Union Street are working on closely with the team at ‘Bankside Urban Forest’.
To the bottom of the venue, the onsite café partnered up with coffee supplier – Crude, who like 10 Union Street are committed to sustainability and ensuring flavour is delivered to the purest form. They have also stopped serving only hot meat options and embracing a vegetarian and plant-based hot food menu.
Whilst this is an ongoing project the team are working on, they are looking into the possibility of finding compostable bags for visitors to take home with them. Whilst this project is an ongoing discussion with the Bankside Urban Forest team, our compostable waste is not being thrown away but is, in fact, being used to fertilise the rooftop garden.
With a divide of offices, an onsite college and event spaces, the venue is used all day, every day, meaning sustainability is crucial.
If this sustainable way of working fits in with your business and you want to host a corporate event at this modern and concept-building, contact the sales team today by emailing events@10unionstreet.co.uk
Beth Granby
Read More
Graysons is proud to partner with leading consultancy, Auditel, to bolster our journey to net zero and achieve verification from Auditel’s ISO-accredited auditors. Auditel provides contract-specific strategies and reporting tailored to both our requirements and those of our clients, ensuring we remain at the forefront of industry progression.
Graysons is a boutique caterer operating at the upper end of the marketplace, providing services across public visitor attractions, cultural institutions, commercial event venues, cafés, restaurants, wine bars on the high street, premium workplaces, and corporate dining.
We are market-leading in sustainability and CSR, ensuring our client sites stay ahead of the curve. We work with a carefully curated network that includes:
Our commitment has earned us the title of ‘the most sustainable caterer in the UK’ from Slow Food UK for five consecutive years – an accolade we are immensely proud of and work tirelessly to maintain.
As part of our commitment to environmental and social sustainability, we build lasting and meaningful relationships with our customers, employees, and local communities. We align our strategies with our clients’ goals – including achieving carbon net-zero success – enabling us to raise customer awareness and enrich the overall environmental and social responsibility of their site, with numerous accreditations to reflect these efforts.
Our approach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Accord on climate change, demonstrating our commitment to achieving the 1.5°C climate target.
To date, Graysons has made significant strides toward net zero:
Emma Perry, Head of Business Development and CSR, emphasises the importance of a holistic approach:
“While it is important to deliver front and back-of-house systems that measure as a means to reduce carbon impact, we fully believe that our approach must be more overarching than just attaining data to achieve accreditation. It is the wider food culture and approach to community and customer engagement that also come into play, and a proactive immersion in local, regenerative farming and UK sourcing picture that will protect our planet for future generations.”
At Graysons, we embrace our clients’ CSR missions as our own, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in all our partnerships. By working closely with Auditel, we can tailor strategies that align with our clients’ goals while navigating significant socio-environmental and economic shifts. This collaboration enables us to stay resilient, responsive, and forward-thinking in addressing today’s challenges, ensuring that both Graysons and our clients remain at the forefront of sustainability.
Read More
Foodservice and hospitality caterer Graysons has appointed Jon White as its new Managing Director, marking an exciting new chapter in the company’s growth journey.
This leadership change follows Aramark UK’s acquisition of Graysons in 2023, where it now forms part of the Workplace & Curated Companies division.
Jon steps into the role with over 40 years of culinary and operational experience. He was part of Graysons’ founding team and, after various senior positions across the industry, returned three years ago as Operations Director. Since then, he’s played a key role in expanding the business, leading mobilisations, and strengthening client relationships across a diverse portfolio of venues, visitor attractions, and workplace sites.
In his new role, Jon will continue to shape Graysons’ strategic direction, with a renewed focus on elevating its unique brand, deepening local supplier partnerships, and strengthening its long-standing commitment to sustainability.
Jon succeeds Tim O’Neill, who has stepped down following a successful period of stewardship. Tim leaves with the business in an exceptionally strong position, having played a key role in the transition of the unique Graysons brand into the Aramark family
Janet Wigley, Managing Director of Aramark UK Workplace & Curated Companies, said: “Jon’s appointment reflects our confidence in the future of Graysons. His deep understanding of the business, values-driven leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence and culture make him ideally placed to lead Graysons into its next phase. He will achieve great things.”
Jon White added: “Graysons has always been close to my heart, and I’m honoured to step into this new role. I’m incredibly proud of the distinct identity we’ve built rooted in our brilliant team, loyal clients, and values that set us apart. I’m excited to build on that legacy, with the backing and support of Aramark as we continue to grow in our own way.”
-ENDS-
Press Information
For media enquiries please contact:
Victoria Joseph
07741 936 339
Note to editors:
About Graysons
Graysons is a specialist foodservice and hospitality caterer, proudly serving a diverse portfolio of clients across workplaces, visitor attractions, venues, and public sector locations throughout the UK. Established with a focus on culinary excellence and personalised service, Graysons is known for its high-quality, freshly prepared food and commitment to sustainable sourcing and local partnerships. With a people-first approach and a strong values-led culture, Graysons continues to grow by delivering tailored hospitality experiences that reflect the unique needs of every client and community it serves.
For more information, please visit: Graysons.com.
About Aramark UK
Aramark UK is a leading foodservice partner, serving workplaces, sports and entertainment venues, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and government services nationally. At the core of our business is a commitment to delivering exceptional food and service, ensuring outstanding experiences for our customers and success for our clients. Every day, we proudly serve over 260,000 meals across the UK, dedicated to ensuring satisfaction with every bite.
With a deep commitment to our people, communities, and the environment, Aramark UK fosters a culture of care and responsibility. We strive to make a positive impact through our services and initiatives.
For more information, please visit: Aramark UK.
Read More
