Frequently asked questions

Complete our booking enquiry form on the website or contact form leaving your phone number and the hall manager will return your call. Once your booking is accepted, we’ll send you a confirmation email, to check we have all the correct details, followed a week later by a booking deposit invoice to secure your date.

Yes, and we encourage you to do so. Viewing the hall is the best way to see whether it is suitable for your event. We’ll be happy to show you around, explain the facilities and answer any questions. If you would like to view the Hall use the contact us page on the website.

The Main Hall can accommodate up to 120 people theatre style or 100 people seated for dining. The Shirley Room can accommodate up to 25 people.

Yes, the hall is on one level, we have double doors at the entrance to the hall and we have a disabled toilet.

Yes. Private parties and one-off events require a £60 booking deposit. This forms part of your hire fee. If you cancel at least 90 days before your event, the deposit is refundable less a £25 administration charge.

The balance is normally invoiced during the month before your booking and is payable within 14 days of the invoice which will be sent on or around the 15th of the month, unless other arrangements have been agreed.

We accept cash, cheque, BACS bank transfer and debit or credit cards.

Yes. You are welcome to provide your own food or use your own caterer.

Yes. The kitchen is available for hire for an additional charge to cover utilities and use of the facilities, including the dishwasher.

Yes. We simply ask that your caterer provides a copy of their current Public Liability Insurance certificate.

We cannot recommend a particular caterer, but several caterers who know the Hall are listed on our Associated Organisations page.

Yes. Our fully licensed bar is available by prior arrangement.

In some circumstances we can apply for an extension to the bar’s licensed hours. Please discuss this with the Hall Manager when making your booking as notice is required, for the Hall to obtain permission.

Yes. Music is welcome provided it does not unreasonably disturb our neighbours and finishes within the permitted times. Our sound system is also available to hire.

Yes. We want you to make the hall your own for your event. Please discuss your plans with the Hall Manager first. To protect the building, nails, pins, Sellotape, confetti, glitter and smoke effects are not permitted.

Yes. Howard Hall is a dog-friendly venue. We ask that dogs are well behaved, kept under control and that owners clean up after them.

Yes. We have on-site car parking for up to 45 vehicles. Please park within the marked bays and be considerate of our neighbours, should you have to park on the road.

Please let us know as soon as possible in writing. The cancellation arrangements are explained in the Hall Hire Terms and Conditions.

You can find links to our Hire Terms and Conditions on the Room Hire webpage also on Our Rules web page. You can read them online or download a PDF file to read at your leisure. Please read them before requesting a booking.

Facilities include the commercial kitchen, licensed bar, free Wi-Fi, a sound system, tables and chairs, accessible toilets, baby-changing and on-site parking, with a defibrillator on site.

A wide range of daytime activities and community groups meet at the hall each week, open to the public. See our Daytime Activities page for what is on.

The Howard Memorial Hall is at 72 Woodside, Wigmore, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0PN, less than half a mile from Junction 4 of the M2. The quickest way to reach us is our Contact Us page, and you can find directions and a map on our About Us page.