Holly Lodge Community Centre in Highgate, north London, rents out its main hall for meetings, lectures, workshops and seminars of up to 80 people. The centre at 30 Makepeace Avenue is a small community building with a professional kitchen and a terrace. It suits daytime and evening gatherings for local groups, teams and trainers, not parties.
Seminars and company events
The centre invites organisers to hold classes, lectures, workshops, seminars and meetings. Hire is available for occasional or regular events on some weekdays, in afternoons, evenings and at weekends. That makes it practical for a recurring training session, a team workshop or a half-day meeting outside the centre of town.
The official terms set a few limits. Loud amplified music is not allowed, because the centre sits below sheltered accommodation, although gentle music is permitted. The centre is not available for parties. The site lists no projection or conference equipment, so confirm what is provided when you enquire.
Rooms and capacities
The main hall normally holds up to 80 people, depending on the type of event. It measures about 9 m by 9 m, and extends to about 9 m by 13 m when the folding doors are open. The centre has wheelchair access and toilets.
Restricted use of the terrace may be available. It is shared with sheltered housing residents, so the centre cannot guarantee exclusive access, and the terms ask users not to move the furniture or plants.
Catering
The centre has a kitchen that can be hired. Anyone who wants to cook in it must use a professional caterer with appropriate insurance and send evidence in advance. The centre can refuse kitchen use or ask for an additional deposit. There is no in-house catering offer on the hire page, so plan to bring in a caterer or your own refreshments.
History and setting
The centre stands on the Holly Lodge Estate in Highgate. It describes itself as a small community centre and runs activities such as tai chi, a film club, welfare benefits advice and a Monday lunch club. It is funded by grants and public bodies, and hire fits around that programme. A deposit is required when you book and is returned unless there is cleaning or damage.
Getting there
The nearest tube station is Archway, a 15-minute walk, and the nearest Overground station is Gospel Oak. Buses C11, 88, 210 and 214 pass close by. Parking on the estate is for residents or permit holders. You may park while loading or unloading, with a note in the windscreen showing the date and your mobile number. Free spaces on Swains Lane and nearby streets are limited.
