Hire a meeting room

Whether you need to hire a quiet space for a short meeting or a number of rooms for a conference, we look forward to welcoming you here at The MERL.

With the opportunity to visit the museum, relax in our Welcome Space or get some fresh air in our peaceful garden during break times, your meeting at The MERL will be a unique experience.

Rooms

We have three light, well-equipped rooms in our Victorian Grade-II listed building, which can be hired for meetings or corporate events.

The Conference Room

The Westminster Conference Room is our largest room available for hire and is ideal for up to 35 people theatre style, or 20 people boardroom style. Other layouts are available on request.

The room is fully equipped with a wall mounted TV and hybrid conference facility, with flipcharts and other materials on request.

The Seminar Room

The Seminar Room seats up to 10 people boardroom style. This room can also be used as a break-out space for refreshments, displays or group work.

The room is equipped with a wall mounted TV and hybrid conference facility, with flipcharts and other materials on request.

The Old Staff Room

The Old Staff Room seats up to 15 people theatre style or 8 people boardroom style.

The room is equipped with a large screen for presentations, with flipcharts and other materials on request.

OTHER SPACES

We have a range of further spaces for hire to host parts of your event, including our beautiful Staircase Hall, garden, and Welcome Space.

Facilities & refreshments

All rooms for hire are equipped with wall mounted TVs linked through a desktop PC. WiFi is available on request. Flipcharts and other conference materials are available if requested in advance.

Hot and cold drinks and a range of lunch options are available. We can arrange this as part of a conference package.

The Conference Room and Seminar Room are accessible by wheelchair, with a lift available to access these rooms located on the first floor.

How to hire

Please contact us for further information on hiring the MERL venue facilities. We are here 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday except on University closure days and aim to reply to your enquiry within 48 hours.

To hire a room, please email merlevents@reading.ac.uk or call 0118 378 8660.

Terms and Conditions

Confirmed bookings may be cancelled only in writing and subject to a charge dependent on the day of being cancelled. Please read our full terms and conditions.