The King George's Field Charity Board has approved revised fees and charges for its Art and Ecology Pavilions, with a 3.3% increase on most hire rates set to take effect from 1 July 2026.
The decision, made during a meeting on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, sees the rise aligned with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March 2026. This adjustment is intended to cover escalating maintenance and operational costs, including inflation, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Charity's assets.
Exhibition rates will also be affected, with a 10% increase for non-subsidised exhibitions and a 5% increase for subsidised ones. A 'subsidised' exhibition is defined as one that is free to the public and offers additional community benefits, such as workshops and talks, whereas a 'non-subsidised' exhibition does not have these specific criteria.
To boost bookings and income, new initiatives have been introduced. These include a block
booking rate for organisations committing to a minimum number of days, a half-day weekend booking option, and a 20% discount for Tower Hamlets residents on standard pavilion bookings. These measures aim to enhance accessibility and competitiveness.
Benchmarking against similar venues, including Core Clapton, Hackney Town Hall, Trinity Buoy Wharf, West Reservoir Centre, Damal Banqueting, The Glasshouse, and Regency Hall Lake, indicates that the revised rates remain competitive. For instance, the Art Pavilion's proposed peak rate of £4,683 for a full day is positioned favourably against Hackney Town Hall's rate of £6,978 + VAT for a full day.
The Board also confirmed its terms of reference, membership, and quorum for the 2026/2027 municipal year. The meeting also reviewed minutes from the previous session held on 4 March 2026 and noted the Charity Commission's Public Benefit Guidance, available in the Public reports pack.
