Information and FAQs

Central Box Office

Harpur Suite Offices

Harpur Street

Bedford

MK40 1LE

T:01234 269519

F: 01234 325358

Opening Hours

Monday to Thursday 9.15am–5.30pm

Friday 9.15am–5.00pm

Sat 10.00am–2.00pm

The Central Box Office is also open for one hour before the start of selected performances, please check in advance.

Reception & Event Bookings

01234 344813

Monday to Thursday 9.15am–5.30pm

Friday 9.15am–5.00pm

Ticket Information

How to Book

In Person

Visit The Central Box Office, Harpur Suite, Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 1LE.

Phone

Contact the Central Box Office on 01234 269519. Visa, Access, Delta, Solo and Maestro cards will be accepted. Your tickets can be posted to you for a charge of £1.00; any tickets booked and paid for within 7 days of a performance will be held for collection.

Online

Click here to book for selected shows on-line

Post

Send a cheque, postal order or your credit card details to the Central Box Office. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Bedford Borough Council. Please enclose an SAE for the return of tickets, if no SAE is enclosed or the performance is within 7 days of your request being received, tickets will be held for your collection.

Please note that if you purchase tickets using any of the methods above and require them to be posted a £1.00 postage charge will apply.

Concessions and Discounts

Concessionary discounts are available on tickets for most BCEX Presents shows.
The following groups are eligible for a concessionary rate:

Proof of eligibility will be required at the time of booking.

Group Discounts

Group Discounts apply to most BCEX presents shows, every tenth ticket is free.
Please note: in the case of booking tickets in different price bands it will be the least expensive ticket which is free of charge.

£6 Standby Tickets

If you are eligible for a concessionary rate, are a Friend of Bedford Corn Exchange or have a Bedford Leisure Card, you can purchase your ticket for most BCEX presents shows for just £6 on the evening of the performance.
Please note: this offer is subject to availability and does not apply to Bedford Comedy Club or Christmas Party Nights.

Friends of Bedford Corn Exchange

Holders of the Bedford Corn Exchange loyalty card benefit from a variety of discounts and special offers.Click here for further information on Friends of the Bedford Corn Exchange.


If you have any queries about concessionary or group discounts, please call the Central Box Office on 01234 269519.

Access

The Bedford Corn Exchange is committed to ensuring your visit is as enjoyable as possible and is equipped with the following facilities for disabled patrons:

For more information please click here

Selling of Theatre tokens and Gift Vouchers

The Central Box Office sells Theatre Tokens. These unique gift vouchers can be used to see Plays, Musicals, Comedies, Opera, Dance. Choosing how to spend Theatre Tokens is part of their unique appeal. And with no expiry date, unlike other gift vouchers, your recipient can pick exactly where and when to exchange them.

Available in denominations of £20, £10 and £5,

 The Central Box Office also sells gift vouchers for activity days, so if you would enjoy a fun-packed activity session such as microlighting with the Bedford Microlight Centre, purchase a gift voucher today.

Seating Plans

The diagrams below show the tiered and flat seating layouts that are available for performances at the venue. The layout is dependant on each show.

Flat seating plan
Flat seating plan

Tiered seating plan
Tiered seating plan

FAQs & Event Hire Information

Q. How do I book the venue for an event?
A. Booking the venue for an event is easy. Follow our step-by-step guide:

  1. Decide the date(s) of your function and the number of attendees.
  2. Consider which room would best suit your needs.
  3. Contact the venue to check room availability.
  4. If the room(s) and date(s) are available, request your function is provisionally booked.
  5. Ascertain the cost of hiring the room and how much deposit will be required.
  6. Complete a venue booking form and conditions of hire form - reception staff are able to assist you if necessary. To download the forms please click here.
  7. Send in or drop off your completed venue booking, conditions of hire form and deposit within fourteen days of pencilling in the event. We accept cash, cheques and all major debit & credit cards.
  8. If your event is open to the public, we will also require a copy of your public liability insurance and if you want us to sell tickets for you through the Central Box Office, you will need to complete a Central Box Office contract. To download the forms please click here.
  9. If you tick any additional requirements on the venue booking form, members of our team will contact to discuss these prior to your function.
  10. At least one month prior to your function, our Finance Manager will contact you requesting payment of the outstanding hall hire.
  11. On the day, please enjoy your function and do not hesitate to contact our duty staff if you have any queries.
  12. You will receive an invoice for any outstanding charges approximately one month after your function. Click here for further information on facilities and hall hire.

Q. What are the capacities of your rooms?
A. The Bedford Corn Exchange has six rooms to suit a range of event sizes. Click here for further information on facilities and hall hire.

Q. What is a corkage charge?

A. The Bedford Corn Exchange has a licensed pay bar in each of the venues, which can be opened during an event at no extra cost to the hirer. Alternatively, drinks may be purchased by the bottle for your event as required.  As Bedford Corn Exchange is a licensed premises we reserve the right to levy a corkage charge on all drinks brought into the venue.

For private functions only we allow customers to provide their own drinks for guests on the condition that:

For further information please read our condition of hire. A copy can be downloaded by clicking here.

Q. Is there a charge if I cancel my booking?

A. All cancellations must be made in writing. If you do not put your cancellation in writing you will be charged for the full hire of the venue plus any other costs we incur.  Damage Deposits will be refunded for all cancellations received in writing. Cancellation fees are dependant on the notice period given.

Q. What is a damages deposit?

A. We have the discretion to impose a requirement for a refundable damage deposit in respect of some events to offset any damage claims, losses or additional expenses (such as extra cleaning) which result from your booking.  This deposit is normally refunded to you within one calendar month of the event being held, providing that no damage, theft, claims, losses or any additional expenses have been incurred by us as a result of your booking.  This deposit may also be used by us to offset any additional charges before refunding any balance.

For further information please contact  reception on 01234 344813 or refer to our conditions of hire..