Venue Charging a Non Catering Fee

Lcantanga on 28/12/2017 - 22:59
Last edited 29/12/2017 - 09:27 by 1 other user

Does anyone know the legitimacy of a venue charging a non catering fee? I honestly don't know if this is legitimate or if I should be outraged by the practice.

We are looking at hiring a room at a venue that isn't exactly known for its food (it's really just a tourist attraction but a nice location). We were just after the room no catering needed as we weren't looking to hire over any meal times, and we weren't even looking at having food or drink there however the quote has come back with a non catering fee which is just as expensive as the room (about $300).

Honestly it seems a bit ridiculous to be charged a fee when there is no service provided and I realise that if we want the venue we will have to pay the fee for now, but is this something I should look at complaining about further or just suck up and think nothing of it again?

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  Quantumcat on 28/12/2017 - 23:04

  +1

  Can't you order some cheap snacks that cost less than $300? Some restaurants charge you if you bring in your own bottle of wine so I guess similar (just an outrageously large fee). My guess is they attract people with a low room hire fee because they expect to sell food and drink.

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    cantanga on 28/12/2017 - 23:14

    +1

    That is what we are probably going to do but it's still annoying.
    As for the restaurants it makes sense for them to charge corkage or cakeage as they can legitimately claim it's a loss of thier income for you to bring your own food or drink to their venue.
    I know I left my description purposefully vague as to venue details but this is not a restaurant and not a venue you associate with food. The catering you get is subcontracted to another company anyway. I guess a similar situation would be if you hired your local scout hall and they charged you a non catering fee.

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  ShannonN on 28/12/2017 - 23:42

  +3

  If you haven't signed up yet and it's stressing you best to look at an alternative place the location can't be that good that you're paying about double what you should?

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  Stewardo on 29/12/2017 - 01:05

  +5

  It’s not a charity. Did it seem like a business? Do you think they may have overheads?
  Why should they rent the space as a public service.
  Often venues rent out very cheaply but the income is in the bar and catering.

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  wei13 on 29/12/2017 - 08:51

  +4

  It is not unusual. They are upfront about it so if you don't like it just go elsewhere.

  I know places that hire their rooms free, but you need to use their catering. It is just a model of business.