VENUE HIRE
W hether for work or leisure, planning a big bash can be a daunting task. There seems to be such a lot to consider and organise – and so many expectations, particularly at Christmastime! One of the first and most important aspects to research is the venue. The right size to accommodate your guest numbers, the right ambience to suit the theme or vibe of the event, the right hospitality package to cater to all your party needs and, of course, availability that fits your schedule. One thing’s for sure: getting that perfect venue booked in good time not only avoids any disappointment but also affords you plenty of time to finalise all the details. “We find that the best functions are always the ones booked well in advance – sometimes even as early as January or February for the following Christmas!” admits Ben Keen, sales and events manager at The Cambridge Union. “As unfestive as it sounds, your first priority should therefore always be to get organised. Your guests will thank you later.” Zoe Fardell, head of conference and accommodation at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, agrees: “Christmas parties can involve a lot of moving parts, from setting spending limits, choosing the venue and agreeing the menu to entertainment, room layouts, decorations, timings and dietary requirements. The earlier you establish your budget and what you want the evening to look and feel like, the easier it is to bring everything together.” Tips from the top So, what other advice can our local event organisers and venue hosts offer? Another early consideration is the kind of event you will be putting on. “Get an understanding of what the majority of the group want from the party and build your plan from there,” suggests Matthew Knight, company director and owner of Novi. “Do most people want
“If your guests have family commitments, it’s worth considering a lunchtime event to promote inclusion,” adds Charlie McLaughlin, owner of Little Piggy in Fenstanton. In a wider sense, this means considering guest experience as a whole – throughout the planning stages – rather than focusing purely on individual elements, says Zoe. “And this doesn’t have to be extravagant,” she adds. “Thoughtful details can make all the difference.” Our experts also have much to say on the subject of those all-important festive tipples. “Always go for an arrival drink!” asserts Emily Harvey, head of sales, events and design for Broadway Cellars in St Ives. “When you have a group of guests all arriving at once, you don’t want everyone queuing at the bar or awkwardly standing around wondering what to do. Having a drink ready when guests arrive immediately gets the party started and gives everyone something to enjoy while the rest of the group arrives. And there’s something about having a glass of fizz in your hand that makes it officially feel like Christmas.” Ben adds another good point: “Always allow for extra drinks in your budget or on your bar tab. Being festive tends to encourage extra alcohol consumption and you don’t want any of your guests to be lacking a mulled wine (or three).” FULL SERVICE Charlie McLaughlin at Little Piggy (above) says event planners should think of everyone’s needs in order to be inclusive
a formal, traditional sit-down meal, something more relaxed and quirky or drinks-led with dancing?”
PARTY
It may seem early, but the sooner you get the perfect venue in place for your corporate or family festive celebrations, the better!
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK OCTOBER 2026 53
Powered by FlippingBook