Stationers’ Hall celebrates 350 years

What an honour to work with the events team at one of our venues, Stationers’ Hall, to create an unforgettable night to celebrate its Coronation Ball at the end of June. It was a chance to commemorate the new King and 350 years of Stationers’​ Hall, with a fine banquet. The event started with a beautiful al-fresco reception served by our new Rolls-Royce Champagne Bar. 

Searcys chefs created a four-course menu for 150 guests, served in the magnificent oak-panelled Main Hall. For starters, we served Asparagus and artichoke tian with edible flowers, followed by a fish course of Cornish crab salad, avocado, linseed crumb and lemon snow. 

For mains, the guests tucked into Salt Marsh Welsh lamb with chanterelle mushroom risotto, wild garlic and sprouting broccoli. The banquet’s dessert took inspiration from the Livery Company itself, serving the Iced parfait of white chocolate and raspberry envelope finished with butterfly pea ink and icing quill. 

 The Ball raised over £18,000 for the Stationers’ Company charitable causes. The heads and tails game contributed £1,100 with the winner getting a magnum of Searcys Champagne. Searcys prize of dinner for 6 at St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar raised £650.

About the Hall

Stationers’ Hall is a Grade I-listed building at the heart of the City, close to St Paul’s Cathedral. The current building was completed in 1673 after the Great Fire of London. The Hall’s suite of stunning rooms, as well as the private garden, makes it one of the most sought-after venues in the City for corporate and private occasions. The venue is perfect for receptions for up to 400 guests, dining for up to 200 and summer parties in the garden for up to 200 people. 

About the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers

This is the City of London Livery Company for the communications and content industries. 600 years ago, the manuscript writers and illuminators decided to concentrate their efforts and set up stalls or ‘stations’ around St Paul’s Cathedral. Because of this, they were given the nickname ‘Stationers’ and this was the obvious choice of name for the guild they established in 1403. When printing came to England in the late 15th century, the Stationers had the good sense to embrace it and we have continued to adapt to the many changes in the communications and industries ever since. 

The technology may have changed from pen and ink to print and digital, but the name has always remained the same. Today the Company has nearly 1,000 members, the vast majority of whom are senior executives in the communications and content industries.