Events & Sessions

River & Bean can host small events, workshops, fundraising sessions, private group use and partner-led support activity by booking and arrangement.

We are not currently running a full public events calendar, daily coworking programme or regular dry bar schedule.

Events need to be staffed, costed and responsible. This is especially true for sessions involving support needs, young people, vulnerable adults, mental health, alcohol-free social space or anything that sounds simple until reality enters holding a clipboard.

Subject to agreement and suitability, organisers may also sell tickets, event merch, drinks or fundraising products through the River & Bean system.

What Can Run Here

Possible sessions include:

• workshops
• fundraising events
• ticketed talks
• event merch sales
• private group sessions
• book clubs or creative groups
• quiet coworking blocks
• organisation training
• support group meetings
• small learning sessions
• partner-led social sessions
• community planning sessions
• local interviews or consultation days
• small conferences or fringe sessions
• exhibition extensions
• recording or streaming sessions

Public events run in the space will usually be organised by the hirer or partner, not River & Bean directly, unless clearly stated.

This helps keep responsibilities, safeguarding, staffing and costs clear.

Ticketed Events and Sales

For approved events, River & Bean may help with:

• event listing
• ticket setup
• attendance lists
• event merch
• drinks bundles
• Proper Coffee or Propa Cuppa service
• Happy Coo products
• fundraising profit-share

The organiser remains the organiser. River & Bean facilitates the space, sales route and agreed support.

Organisers may take payment themselves in cash or through their own payment provider, while using River & Bean to manage the event listing, tickets and attendance where agreed.

Alternatively, ticket sales may be processed through River & Bean, subject to agreement to our conditions.

Ticketed events require at least 72 hours notice, River & Bean agreement, and a non-refundable hire deposit before ticket sales begin. Full hire payment is required before the event starts.

Once an event is published on the River & Bean site and ticket sales have begun, organiser refunds are not normally available in full. River & Bean may deduct incurred costs from any agreed refund.

If River & Bean processes ticket sales and the event is cancelled, ticket buyers will be refunded. Organisers must agree to reimburse or be re-billed for refunds, reversals, chargebacks and post-event payment issues linked to their event.

I Ken

A proposed calm evening for people who need somewhere to be

I Ken is a proposed weekly or fortnightly mental-health-friendly evening developed with partner organisations and interested parties.

The idea is simple:

• come in
• have a coffee or tea
• talk if you want
• do not talk if you do not want
• listen to a short talk occasionally
• sit with people who understand that not everyone wants fixed, coached, interrogated or inspirationally mugged

I Ken would not be therapy, crisis support, counselling or clinical care.

It would be a calm, understanding, low-pressure space run responsibly with appropriate partners, staffing, safeguarding and boundaries.

If you are an organisation, practitioner, volunteer group or funder interested in helping shape I Ken, please contact us.

Dry Bar Update

We had hoped to begin with a dry bar and social membership model.

Unfortunately, the partner route for that disappeared outside our control. We are still open to dry bar or alcohol-free evening ideas, but only with the right partners, staffing, costs and safety arrangements.

We are not currently selling dry bar membership or promising regular dry bar events.

Booking an Event

If you want to run a session or event, tell us:

• what you want to run
• who it is for
• likely numbers
• whether it is public or private
• whether money is changing hands
• whether you want ticketing, merch or drinks sales
• whether you will take payments yourself or ask River & Bean to process sales
• whether safeguarding applies
• what staffing you can provide
• what support you need from River & Bean
• whether coffee, Propa Cuppa, Proper Coffee, Happy Coo or catering would help

Access Note

River & Bean is currently a basement venue and is not step-free.

Please discuss access, mobility, sensory or support needs before confirming an event.

Propose an Event or Session

Plan a Ticketed Event

Partner on I Ken

Book the Space