Membership Criteria

Membership of UVL is by invitation and subject to adherence to the company's criteria and requirements of membership. Prospective member venues must be located within the M25, adhere to the Company's Membership Criteria, be endorsed by the Council of Management and their membership ratified by the member venues.

The membership cost is based on the businesses' turnover, rather than a flat fee, allowing any unique venue to be considered for membership, regardless of business size and venue capacity.

Potential New Member Venues must meet each criteria listed in sections 1, 2 and 3

1          Demonstrating Uniqueness

1.1       The primary purpose of the prospective new venue or business operated by the prospective new venue must be other than Corporate Hospitality, Hospitality, Entertaining, Catering, Events, Meetings or Conferences. For the avoidance of doubt, Hotels, Nightclubs, Bars, Restaurants or Livery Halls are not considered suitable for membership of UVL. The prospective new venue will be required to declare the primary purpose of their company or organisation selected from the list below:-

1. Art Gallery, Museum, Art Collection
2. Historic House, Castle, Palace, Iconic Building
3. Attraction
4. Performing Arts, Theatre, Recording or Film Studio or Set
5. Religious Buildings & Grounds
6. Society, College, Academic Institution, Political or Military HQ
7. Retail
8. Home of Sport

The prospective new venue must make a declaration that the turnover generated from their primary purpose is greater than that generated from Corporate Hospitality, Hospitality, Entertaining, Catering, Events, Meetings or Conferences.

1.2       The prospective new venue must be open or accessible to the public with free or ticketed entry but not by appointment.

1.3       The prospective new venue will be judged on the calibre of their event spaces not simply their environment, status, reputation and or location.

1.4       The prospective new venue must offer something to UVL not offered by its existing member venues in terms of event spaces, capacities or capabilities.

1.5       The event spaces within the prospective new venue must be available for commercial external hire - for the avoidance of doubt prospective new venues with event spaces available only to sponsors or members (either corporate, individual or other) are not considered suitable for membership of UVL.

1.6       The commercial external hire of the event spaces must form the majority of the event business (in terms of numbers of events) with internal and member-only events being the minority of the number of events accommodated.

1.7       Should the prospective new venue consider its primary purpose to be retail, it may not be part of a chain or be franchised and there must be only one of such venues in existence.

1.8       Should the prospective new venue be one of a larger organisation or collective, located in different locations, each prospective new venue within that organisation must apply individually for membership of UVL.

1.9       Should the prospective new venue be involved in sporting activity or related to sport, it must demonstrably be considered the home of that sport, but may also be associated with a club. For the avoidance of doubt prospective new venues associated solely with a club, league or division will not be considered suitable for membership of UVL.

2          Ensuring neutrality and fostering networking and problem solving opportunities for its member venues and their representatives

2.1       The prospective new venue will become the member of UVL and not the representative

2.2       The representative attending the UVL meetings should be wholly employed by the prospective new venue and if not, must demonstrate that they solely represent the interests of that venue.

3          Demonstrating Excellence

3.1       The events business operating at the prospective new venue must have been trading for a minimum of twelve (12) months, during which it has accommodated in excess of five (5) income generating external events, and be able to demonstrate event management expertise and consistency of delivery.

3.2       The prospective new venue shall provide two client references from within the twelve-month period relating to income generating external events held at the prospective new member venue.

3.3       Acceptance as a member is subject to receipt of satisfactory documentation of legislative compliance. This includes, but is not limited to:-

1. Health and Safety Policy
2. Public Liability Insurance
3. Employer Liability Insurance
4. The Event Confirmation Process to include contractual documentation with client
5. Declaration of License Status including type, council and restrictions
6. Declaration of annual turnover

The prospective new venue should be aware that even if they meet the criteria outlined, the Council of Management will base their endorsement of each applicant on the proactive prioritisation of the diversity of the Company in terms of geographical location, primary purpose and size of business and that the Vision of UVL will be the priority at all times.

To submit interest in becoming a member venue of Unique Venues of London, please click here and complete the initial registration form.