The Armstrong is available to everyone: community groups, amateur dramatic societies, businesses, private individuals (for parties or weddings), and professional touring companies.

You can view live availability for all our spaces via our online booking portal: bookings.thearmstrong.co.uk. You do not need to contact us directly to see if a date is free; the calendar is always up to date.

Our online system provides instant pricing transparency. When you select your desired room, date, and times on the calendar, the system will automatically calculate the estimated hire cost based on your selection and hire category (Standard or Supported).

Supported Hires: These rates are applicable to voluntary groups, registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, schools, and community clubs (subject to The Armstrong’s discretion).

Standard Hires: These rates apply to private individuals, businesses/corporate events, private celebrations (weddings, parties), and ticketed performances by professional/for-profit groups.

Managed Hire: Includes a Duty Manager on-site throughout your event. We handle unlocking/locking, provide health & safety oversight, fire evacuation cover, and basic technical assistance (house lights, simple sound check). Additional staff (bar, box office, tech support) can be arranged for a fee.

Unmanaged Hire: This is "venue access only" via a key code. You are responsible for unlocking/locking, room set-up, stewarding, and technical operation. Crucially, you are responsible for fire safety and evacuation during your hire. You must return the space to its original condition and remove all waste.

Our booking process follows a simple Request > Review > Confirm workflow:

Request: Select your dates on the online calendar and submit a "Booking Request." At this stage, your booking is Pending.

Review: Our team will review your request to ensure the activity is suitable for the venue and that we have the necessary staff available (if a Managed Hire).

Confirm: Once approved, we will change your booking status to Confirmed and issue a Hire Agreement.

Invoice: We will send you an invoice for the required deposit (or full amount, depending on the timeframe). Your booking is legally secured once the deposit is paid and the agreement is signed.

The minimum hire period is 2 hours. Beyond that, you can book for as long as you need, subject to our opening hours.

No. All online requests are provisional until reviewed by The Armstrong team. This ensures we can manage the complex needs of the venue and our neighbours.

Yes. You must book enough time to set up your event and clear away afterwards. For example, if your party is 19:00–23:00, you should book 18:00–23:30 to allow for prep and cleaning. Access outside of booked hours may be refused or charged at a penalty rate.

If you do not vacate the space by the end of your booked slot, you will be charged a penalty rate of 1.5 times the standard hourly rate, billed in 30-minute increments.

The Bar Our spacious Foyer features a fully licensed bar.

Hiring the Bar: If you wish to have the bar open for your event, we require a minimum spend of £250 per session. This covers our staffing and stock costs. If the minimum spend is not met, the hirer will be invoiced for the shortfall.

Rules: Only alcohol supplied by The Armstrong is permitted on the premises. We operate a "Challenge 25" policy.

The Kitchen Our kitchen is a "warming and refreshments" facility only; it is not licensed for food preparation (cooking from scratch).

Included: Use of the fridge, dishwasher, sink, hot water urn, and our stock of crockery/cutlery is included in your hire fee.

Hot Drinks: You are welcome to bring your own tea, coffee, and milk.

Catering: If you require food, you must use outside caterers (cold buffets or pre-cooked food kept warm). We can provide a list of recommended local suppliers.

Cleaning: All crockery and cutlery must be washed and put away after use.

Technical Equipment The Cossham Hall is equipped with modern, high-quality sound and projection systems.

Managed Hires: Basic support is included.

Unmanaged Hires: You must be competent to operate the equipment yourself.

Contact: For full technical specifications, please contact us.

Commercial/Business/Professional Hirers: Yes. You must possess your own Public Liability Insurance (minimum indemnity of £5 million) and provide a copy of the certificate 14 days before the event.

Non-Commercial/Private Hirers: If you are a private individual or a non-profit group without insurance, you may be covered by The Armstrong’s "Hirers’ Liability" extension for accidental damage or injury to third parties. Please confirm this with us at the time of booking.

Extensions beyond 23:30 may be possible but are not guaranteed. Cost: A £25.00 arrangement fee plus a late surcharge of £100 per hour.