Master‘s message part two – the rationale behind the rising cost of dinners

Dear fellow Coachmakers,

I have two messages for the price of one this month, however, it is an important subject which I need to share with you.

As you know, we have five dinners a year, and in most years, a banquet as well. We, along with many other Livery Companies, have seen the costs of putting on dinners going up dramatically during recent years, particularly following Covid. This has coincided with fewer people attending, which provides the perfect storm of a lower base across which to spread the costs.

The Aerospace Dinner at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall on 13th November celebrated our aerospace affiliation with awards and bursaries to nine deserving young people. It was a highly successful event with attendees enjoying a glass or two of fizz, a fabulous three-course meal with great wines, coffee, port and Stirrip Cup, together with musical entertainment, toastmaster and all the other touches that make for a great Livery Dinner. BUT even at a cost of £140 per ticket we ended up losing money!

As many of you will know, eating out in London and enjoying entertainment has become a lot more expensive in the past 12 months or so. We therefore have no choice but to increase prices for future events. We expect to break even at £85 for the Carol Service and Supper – if sufficient numbers of Liverymen join this festive evening of conviviality and fellowship – but we will have to be more ambitious for the dinners in the New Year.

Incidentally, a straw poll of other Livery Companies suggests we are currently at the lower end of the price range for dinners.

The Winter Dinner will be in the delightful Watermen’s Hall, with a capacity of only 77, and will be a cosy and entertaining evening. We have TV auctioneer Charlie Ross as guest speaker, and will enjoy a delicious dinner and wines provided by The Cook & Butler. However, we will be asking attendees to pay £160. Future dinners will also need to be priced at a similar level or more for us to break even.

The Livery really needs your SUPPORT!

Whilst I completely understand the cost-of-living pressures and strain on our wallets, the fellowship and camaraderie of our social activities support our charitable aims, so are a vital and hugely enjoyable part of being a Coachmaker. May I again implore every Coachmaker to attend at least one dinner each year. I was touched when people who haven’t attended a dinner for years listened to my earlier plea and came along to Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, and were surprised how much they enjoyed themselves.

I make no apology for this plea, because if we are to continue to enjoy being part of a thriving Livery which does so much good for young people, whilst enjoying the social and networking opportunities it provides, we need your active support and participation.

I look forward to seeing you, if not at the Carol Service, then a Coachmakers’ dinner in 2026.

With my best wishes

Richard