The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) hires out five Georgian rooms for meetings, workshops, lectures and presentations, for groups of 5 to 150 people according to the institution. The building stands at 16-18 Queen Square in central Bath, and several rooms overlook the square.
Seminars and company events
The rooms suit half-day and full-day sessions where an organiser needs a projector or a monitor, a microphone and staff nearby. Every room comes with tea and coffee, presentation facilities and a member of staff on hand to keep the event running smoothly. The institution runs its own programme of evening talks, so it is used to setting up audio and projection for a seated audience.
For short-notice bookings, several rooms at once, a Saturday evening or a Sunday, the team asks organisers to contact them directly rather than use the booking form.
Rooms and capacities
Elwin is the largest room. It looks over Queen Square and seats 100 people. It has a large projector screen, an integrated PA system, a lectern with microphone, roving and lapel microphones, a DVD player and a Bentley piano.
Duncan seats 50. It has a kitchenette with a fridge, kettle and dishwasher, a large projector screen, a 55-inch monitor, roving microphones, a Windows laptop and a DVD system.
Lonsdale seats up to 42 and also faces the square. It has a laptop and a 55-inch monitor. The room holds a large cast of a plesiosaur and statues of the institution's founders, which gives workshops a distinctive backdrop.
Draper suits smaller meetings. It has a 55-inch TV monitor and a laptop, with a large window and high ceilings that let in daylight and fresh air.
Murch is a quiet room set up boardroom style for 8 people, with a kitchenette, a flipchart and a monitor. It works for working sessions and small committees.
Catering
Tea and coffee are included in every room hire. The official pages do not describe a lunch or dinner offer. Duncan and Murch have a kitchenette, so organisers who bring their own refreshments can store and serve them on site. Ask the team what is allowed before you plan a meal.
History and setting
BRLSI is an educational charity that has run talks, exhibitions and youth education projects on science, literature and the arts for around 200 years, and it recently marked its bicentenary. Its collection of historic artefacts and rare pieces is part of the building. Because the institution is a charity, the income from room hire supports its educational work.
Queen Square is one of the most picturesque squares in Bath, and the Georgian architecture is part of what an organiser rents here.
Getting there
The address is 16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN, in the centre of the city. The institution lists the telephone number 01225 312084 for tours and questions, and the address roomhire@brlsi.org for hire enquiries. A visit before booking is possible on request.
