Contact us We are justifiably proud of the Council House banqueting and meeting rooms. For further information on the venue you can e-mail us at banqueting.suite@birmingham.gov.uk or telephone us on 0121 303 2318. To submit a request for a brochure, make a general enquiry or to enquire about availability online please go to Online Enquiries. To confirm a provisional booking online please go to Online Enquiries and Bookings - we would be delighted to plan your event with you. The Council House The Council House is a Grade II* listed building of exceptionally crafted detail. Architect H. R. Yeoville Thomason designed the building following the theme of a Venetian Palace in classical Renaissance style. Built around a central courtyard from which the council chamber, banqueting suite, Lord Mayor's parlour and committee rooms lead, Birmingham Council House remains one of the nation's outstanding Victorian buildings. Joseph Chamberlain laid the foundation stone in 1874 and the official opening ceremony in 1879, marked an event of historic importance. For the first time, Birmingham's industrial might was gathered in the seat of this 'provincial parliament', presiding over what became known as the 'best governed city in the world'. Its central location offered the citizens of Birmingham greater access to the democratic process and from these philanthropic beginnings grew the guardianship of modern Birmingham. The Council House is still the official office for the Lord Mayoralty and leading members of the City Council. Today the Council House continues to offer exceptional facilities for meetings, banqueting and hospitality. It has provided a setting of distinction for many Royal visits, meetings of local, regional, national and international significance and it is a prestigious venue for business and social functions. The elegance and detail of the interior and the imposing exterior render the Council House one of the city's most impressive venues for civic and corporate entertaining. The Council House in Victoria Square is at the centre of the city. It links Birmingham's financial and business district with the world class International Convention Centre and the National Indoor Arena, which are just five minutes by foot. Surrounded by art galleries, theatres and shops, these magnificent facilities are easily accessible from all major city routes. New Street Station with its intercity connections is less than a five minute walk from the Council House. Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre can be reached within ten minutes by rail. For a detailed location map, see attached PDF file, below. The Banqueting Suite's professional catering team are experts of creative cuisine, produced to the most exacting international standards and sensitive to all dietary needs. The Catering Manager preserves traditional values; courtesy, care and discretion combined with a prompt, efficient and personal service. The catering team would be delighted to offer its expertise and suggest menus and wines to compliment any occasion. Birmingham's Lord Mayor, official host for the city, performs a major role in welcoming visitors and promoting Birmingham. The Council House rooms have received and welcomed Royalty, world leaders, media and film stars, people from the literary world and every type of business and organisation. The ambience of the rooms, reflecting the sophistication and charm of the 19th century, creates a unique environment for business, pleasure or a combination of the two. The meeting and banqueting rooms situated on the first floor of the Council House are reached by the ornate central staircase leading from the main entrance. The decorative chandelier which dominates the staircase is an original feature of the building as are the marble statues of Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert, which grace the stairway. Frosted windows bearing the city's coat of arms encompass panels depicting scenes from art, industry, drama, literature, science and music. Intricate plaster carving decorates the domed ceiling that reaches 162 feet above ground level. The corridor at the head of the staircase runs the entire length of the Banqueting Suite, finally leading to the glass corridor. Here, elaborate wrought iron work supports glass and mirrored panels complemented by high dado panelling in oak. The corridor is the access point from the Council House to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery's round room, industrial gallery and Edwardian tea rooms.

The Banqueting Suite extends almost the full length of the Council House and has a central position at the head of the main staircase. The arched windows that run the length of the suite give impressive views across Victoria Square and the city. The Banqueting Suite, which can accommodate 450 guests in total, divides into three areas; the central reception area, the banqueting room and the drawing room.

The reception area leads to a balcony above the Council House portico, from which many dignitaries and personalities have appeared to crowds assembled below in Victoria Square. The minstrels' gallery spanning the main doors of the suite now houses the modern lighting and amplification equipment.

The council chamber is a semi-circular room with fixed tiered seating facing a central rostrum. The chamber seats up to 145 including 5 rostrum seats. There are also 70 seats within the public gallery. The panelled chamber displays Italian walnut carvings and painted screens depicting Truth and Justice. For more than a century, history has been made within this room. Imagine the voices of notable politicians, business people and dignitaries resounding through the chamber with votes cast; issues debated and disputes democratically settled. The chamber regularly houses the council in session. With its modern microphone facilities it is exceptionally well equipped for presentations, annual general meetings and conferences of all types.

The Chamberlain Room is situated on the first floor of the Council House adjacent to Banqueting Suite and overlooking Victoria Square. Laid out in conference style for up to 22 people with the facility for catering for buffets, lunches and dinners.

The Banqueting Suite is available for use by the Lord Mayor's parlour in connection with civic events, groups in receipt of civic hospitality, departments of the Council, companies and organisations holding annual functions celebrating particular anniversaries, involved in local, regional or national promotional activity, staging charity events or with direct links to the City or the Council. Organisations applying for the first time should provide supporting background information to enable the request to be determined in accordance with the above resolutions. Contact us We are justifiably proud of the Council House banqueting and meeting rooms. For further information on the venue, a colour brochure E-mail us at banqueting.suite@birmingham.gov.uk or contact us on (0121) 303 2318 or to submit a request for a brochure, a general enquiry or to enquire about availability online please go to Online Enquiries we would be delighted to plan your event with you.