Venue details
We are a friendly, flexible and distinctive venue for your next concert, celebration, special event, meeting or conference.
Turner Sims offers an outstanding auditorium, light and airy foyer, garden views, box office facilities, a licensed bar and range of technical facilities. Our welcoming, professional team will work with you to shape your successful event at every stage along the way.
The Main Auditorium
Our auditorium was purpose-built for excellent acoustics, and opened in 1974. With fixed seating for between 300 and 400 people, it’s the perfect intimate space for live music, talks, presentations, or recording. The room is home to our stunning Steinway D Grand Piano, and the Fazioli Grand Piano, belonging to the University of Southampton Music.
- Fixed rake seating for between 300 and 400 people, depending on event requirements
- Flat access to space at rear of auditorium for up to four wheelchairs
- Handrails to approximately halfway down auditorium seating
- Stage dimensions: 349.6M² (17.15M wide, 8.69M deep, 9.1m high)
- Simple speech PA in-house
- Large wide-screen and projector
- Two grand pianos live on stage and cannot be removed
- We will set an atmospheric, fixed lighting state using our state-of-the-art LED rig
Stage door
- Dimensions: 1.35M wide
- Large goods lift for getting heavy equipment to the stage level (1.9M x 2.6M)
- Loading bay is closest drop off point
- Stage is large flat area, not raised
- Disabled access to stage is extremely limited – please ask for more details
The Foyer
Our light and airy foyer boasts beautiful views of Highfield Campus Gardens. There is an open, flexible space for various seating configurations, the Box Office Reception, the Turner Sims Bar and access to our toilet facilities.
- Can seat 35-40 people cabaret style, 50-60 people theatre style, 100 people for a concert (mixture of seated and standing), 150 people for networking/buffets
- Dimensions: Bar seating area is 116.5M², total foyer area 193.5M²
- Digital display screen that can be used for presentations and screenings
- Fully accessible space
- Beautiful views across Highfield Campus gardens
The Green Room
Our Green Room is a smaller, private space to one side of the auditorium, perfect for daytime meetings, small presentations, or workshops, Monday to Friday.
- Can seat up to 12 people boardroom style, 30 people theatre style, 50 people standing
- Dimensions: 58.3M²
- Flat access via loading bay doors to the rear of the room
Today was amazing, everyone had the best day – and the fact that literally everyone involved was super helpful and lovely genuinely made all the difference!
Every event is different. Hire costs are based on your individual requirements, starting from our Standard Hire Charges shown below. We are pleased to help you with any details that will make your event special. Please contact us for more information.
Standard Hire Charges
- £770+VAT – full venue hire charge for 5.5 hours. Includes use of the hall, foyer, green room and dressing rooms, plus staffed, licenced bar
- £110+VAT – per hour venue hire charge for any hours which exceed 5.5
- 12%+VAT – Box Office commission on all tickets
- 4.2% or 6.5%+VAT – PRS charge on tickets. Performing Right Society collects royalties when music is played in public and shares the royalties with music creators. They set charges for both popular and classical music. For more information, please visit their website
We offer reduced hire charges for University of Southampton Student Societies. Please ask for further information.
Deposit and payment processes
- £150 deposit payment is required to secure a date. The rest of the charges will be deducted from your box office income after the event and any remaining funds paid to the hirer. If you have a free event, or costs exceed box office income, an invoice will be raised for the remaining charges.
- Final booking details to be confirmed with us by a minimum of one month prior to your event
Contact Us
Email us at hire@turnersims.co.uk or call 023 8059 2223 and speak to Elizabeth Howard or Leyanne Coombs
