One of the busiest places in London, Covent Garden has a lot going on. Also one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions, it’s full of shops, restaurants and bars, and there are plenty of interesting sights to see in the area. And if you're looking for a space that can host a conference or meeting, then Covent Garden is the place to be. From creative spaces perfect for a brainstorming session to professional meeting rooms ideal for a board meetup, Covent Garden has all the spaces you may need. So, don’t wait any longer and book your meeting room today!
One of West End’s popular bustling neighbourhoods, Covent Garden, has a special vibe. Full of beautiful neoclassical buildings (including the Royal Opera House), boasting the always busy Covent Garden Piazza, famous for artisan markets and flagship stores of big brands, Covent Garden is known as a popular destination for meetings of all kinds. This area is full of great options, from large spaces that can accommodate hundreds of people to smaller rooms for intimate gatherings.
If you want to make sure that your meeting goes smoothly, here are some tips on what to remember when hiring a meeting room in Covent Garden.
Be aware of the different types of meeting rooms available. There are various types of meeting rooms available for hire, and it's important to know which one is best for your needs. For instance, a boardroom would be the best option if you're looking for something small and intimate. If you’re hosting a team-building session, then perhaps a workshop or even a coworking space would be a better choice.
Check how accessible the venue is. Although Covent Garden is very well known, it’s still in the centre of a big metropolis, so if your guests are arriving from outside the city, make sure to hire the room at a convenient time so they can reach it without worry. If your guests are arriving by car, then it's a good idea to book a venue with plenty of parking spaces nearby. Check if the meeting room is also accessible to those with mobility impairments.
Find out what equipment is available. There are many different types of meeting rooms available, with some offering more equipment than others. For example, some will have Wi-Fi access and projectors installed already, while others will require extra equipment, such as microphones or screens. Make sure that there is enough equipment for all of your needs before booking a particular venue.
Book the room early. You have to keep in mind that in such a location as Covent Garden, booking the meeting room last minute may come with higher costs, or you may have only a few options to choose from. Although here at Tagvenue we want to make even the last-minute hiring process as easy as possible, it’s always better to make your bookings well ahead of time.
Ask about the refreshments. Check with the venue if they can provide drinks, such as water, coffee or tea, or food during your meeting. Sometimes it's included in the price of the room rental but other times it will cost extra or may not be possible at all. So if this is something you would rather not have to worry about yourself, ask the venue manager before making the booking.
Once you have your meeting room secured, now’s the time to plan your session. Here are some tips on how to best prepare for your meeting:
Set the meeting objectives. Identify the objective of the meeting so that everyone knows what they're working toward. This will help keep your meeting on track and ensure that everyone leaves with an understanding of what they need to do next.
Plan your agenda. With all of the things you need to get done in a meeting, it can be easy to get sidetracked or give too much time to only some of the points. A well-planned agenda can help keep things moving and make sure everyone is on the same page (or not!). You should also consider sending the agenda ahead of time so participants can prepare any materials or ideas they want to discuss in advance.
Prepare the materials. Before the meeting starts, provide a list of resources or documents that attendees might want to access during the meeting, such as PowerPoint slides or materials from previous meetings. If possible, send them out earlier, so everyone can review them before coming into your session. That way, the attendees won’t waste time looking around while others are talking or trying to read something off their phone screens.
Schedule a break, or several ones, if you're planning a longer session, so people can stretch their legs and get some refreshments. If you have a long agenda it may seem counter-productive, as you want to get things done as soon as possible. But breaks are necessary for everyone to stay focused and ready to tackle all the problems at hand. Some meeting rooms come with a resting area that can be used for breaks, so ask about it before you make your final booking.
Follow up. Before you end the meeting, make sure all the participants know what decisions were made during it, and what’s coming next. If some tasks are delegated, make sure people responsible are aware of them. Decide on the time limit to accomplish everything you’ve talked about during the meeting. And if you’ll need to schedule another meeting - set it up in your calendars before you leave the room.
When it comes to meeting room hire, our favourite spots of Covent Garden include:
Hiring prices in Covent Garden depend on the size of the room, the number of people attending, and the time and day of the hire. On average, you can expect hourly rates to range from £60 to £250. However, daily rates can start at as little as £120. You can also find venues which charge on a per person basis, with prices starting at £18. (Based on Tagvenue data.)
Here at Tagvenue, we gather only the best venues you can find, so whatever you book will surely be a good choice, but here are some of our top picks:
Many meeting rooms come equipped with whiteboards, flipcharts, and video conferencing equipment. Some venues may offer access to printers and photocopiers. If you would like your meeting room to come with a kitchenette or a common break-out space, make sure to ask the venue manager about all the details before you make your final booking.