The Botanist, Bath

We booked a private corporate event at this venue and unfortunately the experience fell well below expectations. There was clear confusion around the event timing, and the agreed welcome drinks were not in place when I arrived. When this was flagged, the team were unaware of the arrangement. Fortunately, I arrived ahead of the guest start time and was able to ensure this was resolved before guests arrived. Food service was late, dietary requirements were poorly managed, and allergen labelling was not available despite advance planning and guest details being provided. As a result, some guests were hesitant to eat, and I had to personally intervene to locate those with specific dietary needs so they could be served. Garlic flatbread, which was included as part of the food offering, was also not provided. It was also made clear on the night that management attention was being prioritised elsewhere in the venue, which left our booked private event feeling secondary throughout the evening. The venue itself was cold, with heating only being turned on after approximately two hours. We are also still awaiting confirmation as to whether we were charged for the “complimentary” prosecco, as no final bar tab or receipt has been provided despite requests. Additionally, photographs were taken during the event for venue marketing purposes without my prior knowledge or consent as the organiser. I have since had to formally request confirmation that any images taken of our private event are deleted, which was unexpected and inappropriate for a corporate booking. Overall, the event felt underprepared and poorly coordinated, which was disappointing given the level of planning in advance and the cost involved. I have been advised that CCTV footage will be reviewed to verify the feedback provided, which further reflects the lack of clarity and organisation on the night. While the bar staff and hostess were polite, the overall organisation and management did not meet the standard expected for a private corporate event. The extensive planning and email correspondence undertaken to ensure a smooth evening ultimately felt wasted. I would strongly recommend confirming all arrangements in writing and ensuring clear accountability if considering this venue for a corporate event.