Bishopsgate Institute hosts conferences for up to 270 people in theatre style, receptions for 400, board meetings, workshops and weddings, for groups from five people up to 400. The Institute occupies a Grade II* listed Victorian building on Bishopsgate in the City of London, two minutes' walk from Liverpool Street station, and it has been an independent charity since 1895.
Seminars and company events
The Great Hall is the main room for a conference, an awards evening or a product launch, with a stage and a lighting rig. It seats 270 in theatre style or 150 in cabaret. The Upper Hall takes 200 in rows and 120 in cabaret, which makes it a second plenary room or a space for lunch and an exhibition. Smaller rooms cover breakouts and board meetings: the Courtyard Room, the Studio and the Goss Room each hold 40 to 50 in rows and 20 to 24 around a boardroom table, while the Boardroom and the Townsend Room suit small committee meetings. Dedicated event planners, the audiovisual systems and high-speed Wi-Fi come with every hire. The Institute can also add private tours of the building, displays from its collections or workshops led by its specialists.
Weddings and receptions
The hire team also hosts weddings, and couples have held their day here in recent years. For a wedding reception, the Great Hall holds 400 standing, the Upper Hall 220 and the wood-paneled Victorian Library 110, which suits a smaller drinks reception among the bookcases.
Rooms and capacities
Great Hall: 400 standing, 270 theatre, 150 cabaret, 150 in examination layout. Upper Hall: 220 standing, 200 theatre, 120 cabaret, 200 examination. Library: 110 standing, 60 theatre. Courtyard Room: 50 standing, 50 theatre, 50 cabaret, 20 boardroom, 16 U-shape. Studio: 50 standing, 50 theatre, 40 cabaret, 24 boardroom, 20 U-shape, with mirrored walls. Goss Room: 40 standing, 40 theatre, 30 cabaret, 24 boardroom, 20 U-shape. The Boardroom has a fireplace and a chandelier, and the Townsend Room has a conference table for about eleven. The Institute does not publish banquet figures, so ask for a seated dinner layout.
History and setting
The Institute opened in 1895, and its building, designed by the architect Charles Harrison Townsend, is listed Grade II*. It still runs a library, special collections and archives that document everyday life and the people who campaigned for social, political and cultural change, along with courses and social dances. As a secular and independent charity, it does not host rallies, party political or religious events, or public classes run by outside organizers, which is worth knowing before you plan the program.
Getting there
Liverpool Street station, served by the Elizabeth line, the Underground and national rail, is two minutes away on foot. London City Airport is the closest airport, and Heathrow is reachable directly on the Elizabeth line.
