Please Note: The Town Hall is currently closed for essential earthquake strengthening and the Horticultural Hall will be closed from January of 2014 for strengthening works.
Horticultural Hall
The Horticultural Hall will be closed as of January 2014 for essential earthquake strengthening. The work is scheduled to take 18 months.
One of our biggest venues for hire, the Horticultural Hall is situated on Laings Road, next to the Town Hall.
Recommended occupancy
| Main hall seated dinner/buffet |
800–900 |
| Main hall social event (mixing/mingling) |
1000 |
| Main hall seated concert |
900–1000 |
| Supper room seated event |
160 |
| Supper room social event |
140 |
| Approved total hall and supper room capacity |
1000 |
Facilities and features
- The venue has a main hall with servery, separate supper room and kitchen and toilets
- Suitable for indoor sports
- The hall has five singles badminton courts
- Wireless internet is available
- Three-phase power outlets are available
- There is wheelchair access and toilet facilities for the disabled
- Kitchen facilities include a laser water heater (tea maker), a large commercial oven, refrigerator, pie warmer and dishwasher
- EFTPOS is available - you will need to contact Telecom to arrange a connection
Dimensions
Main Hall 34.15m (long) x 22.9m (wide)
Stage 6.25m (deep) x 17.1m (wide)
Supper Room 11m (long) x 16.5m (wide)
View a floor plan of the Horticultural Hall (PDF 158kb)
View a floor plan of the Horticultural Hall kitchen (PDF 54kb)
Town Hall - Closed
The Town Hall is currently closed for earthquake strengthening. Work is scheduled for 2013 - 2014. For more information please click here
Rules for the Halls
- The halls are opened and closed according to the times that are booked - if you are not there within 15 minutes of the scheduled opening time, access may be delayed
- Bond payments are refunded to the organisation/person who has booked the hall - please ensure you have provided correct details
- Lecterns are available at both venues
- A Special Licence is required for the sale and supply of alcohol
- BYO alcohol is unlikely to be permitted for events unless it is for a small family gathering or social gathering
- The venues are in a residential area, so amplified music must stop by 1am
- The Town and Horticultural Halls have smoke and heat detector alarms. The use of smoke machines and any other equipment which is likely to generate smoke or heat is not permitted, unless arrangements are made with the Council’s fire service contractor (Wormalds) to temporarily turn off the alarms
- The pianos in both halls are tuned every six months. A grand piano is available from the Little Theatre, but it must be removed professionally and tuned at the hirer's expense
Hire charges for the Horticultural Hall
See the hire charges for large venues.
Minimum of $300 bond is applicable.
Hire charges for commercial events
The hire charges for a commercial event are set at the community rate plus 50%. A separate negotiable charge of up to 10% of the gross revenue may apply if your activity is commercial.
Hire charges for charitable events
If you are running a charitable activity, you can apply to us for a special rate.
Location of the Horticultural Hall
30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt
View the map
The Little Theatre
The Little Theatre is mainly used as a performing arts venue for concerts, school productions and plays. It is on Queens Drive beside the Lower Hutt War Memorial Library.
Occupancy
Auditorium 306 (fixed seating)
Foyer 70-100
Facilities and features
- Includes four dressing rooms, a green room, toilets, kitchen with a laser water heater, microwave, oven and dishwasher
- Wheelchair access to the theatre
- A grand piano and a standard upright piano (tuned every six months or as required)
- Wireless internet service is available for free when you hire
- There are two lecterns onsite
- EFTPOS is available. You’ll need to contact Telecom to arrange a connection
Dimensions
Stage dimensions 15.5m (wide) x 11m (deep)
View a plan of the Little Theatre (PDF 206kb)
View the Little Theatre stage lighting inventory (PDF 229kb)
Photo gallery
Rules for the Little Theatre
- A Special Licence is required for the sale and supply of alcohol
- BYO alcohol is unlikely to be permitted for events unless it is for a small family gathering or social gathering
- There are no smoke alarms. The theatre has heat detectors only. The use of smoke machines and any other equipment which is likely to generate smoke or heat is not permitted, unless arrangements are made with the Council’s fire service contractor (Wormalds) to temporarily turn off the heat detectors
Don’t:
- Smoke in the auditorium or stage areas
- Consume alcohol unless a Special Licence has been obtained or approval for BYO has been given
- Remove or alter seating in the auditorium
- Paint or build props on site or use power tools or props with sharp edges or protruding nails
- Park across entrances or driveways, or behind the St James Church on Sundays – parking is at a premium at the venue
- Drop or move curtains without putting clean sheets underneath them first
- Leave rubbish at the venue, unless prior arrangements have been made to use our rubbish removal service
Hire charges for Little Theatre
View the Little Theatre venue hire charges
Make a booking
Horticultural Hall bookings
Email: dowsevenue@huttcity.govt.nz
Phone: 04 570 6500
After hours: Mary Dickson on 0274 501 690 for emergencies/access issues
Fax: 04 569 5877
The Little Theatre bookings
Email: dowsevenue@huttcity.govt.nz
Phone: 04 570 6500
Fax: 04 569 5877