Charity, festival & private events · Leicester

Private party & charity event venue in Leicester.

Maher Centre is a pillarless 1,100m² hall in Leicester for big celebrations: charity galas, Diwali parties, milestone birthdays, engagement parties and Christmas dos. Up to 1,000 seated, 800 with a dance floor and 1,500 standing, with a 350+ space free private car park. Run since 1996 by a registered charity.

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★★★★½ 4.5 from 569 reviews · Operated by a registered charity · Best for 200+ guests
Choose your occasion

What kind of private event are you planning?

Each occasion has its own page with layouts, timings and practical tips. Start with yours.

Gala dinner tables with purple uplighting and tall centrepieces
Charity galas

Fundraising dinners

Dinner, appeal, auction and dancing for up to 1,000 seated. A charity-run venue that understands fundraising.

Charity gala venue
Rose-gold floral table setting with pink lighting
Diwali

Diwali & festival nights

Family Diwali dinners, community celebrations and cultural shows for up to 1,500 during Leicester's busiest festival season.

Diwali event venue
Reception tables beneath a pink floral arch
Milestone birthdays

18th to 60th, and beyond

Big birthdays, anniversaries and whole-family celebrations with a dance floor, a showstopping entrance and room for everyone.

Birthday party venue
Floral stage with pink roses ready for a couple
Engagements

Engagement parties

Ring ceremonies and engagement celebrations when both families' guest lists are long.

Engagement party venue
Evening party with stage, screens and dark purple lighting
Christmas

Christmas parties

Company and community Christmas parties from 200 to 1,500 guests. December dates go quickly.

Christmas party venue
Empty pillarless hall with coral uplighting, ready to be dressed
Community events

Gatherings, reunions & more

Family reunions, community celebrations and cultural shows. One pillarless hall, set up exactly how you want it.

Event space hire
Honest advice

Is Maher Centre the right size for your party?

Here's the straight answer. Maher Centre is one large hall, not a hotel with a choice of small function rooms. It's 1,100m², single-storey and pillarless, and it's at its best when you've got a big guest list: roughly 200 people and up.

That's why big families, faith communities, community groups and charities choose a hall like ours. When your "small family do" turns into 450 people once the cousins are counted, most venues run out of room. We don't. The same hall seats 1,000 for dinner, takes 800 with a dance floor, and holds 1,500 standing.

For a gathering of 60, we'll tell you honestly that the room may feel too big. For 300, 600 or 1,000, it's hard to beat. Not sure? Have a look at our capacity and layouts guide, or our function hall hire page for an honest look at how the space works.

Large evening party at Maher Centre with candlelit tables and white chair covers
Run by a charity

Why book a venue run by a registered charity?

Community roots since 1996

Operated by Maher Community Association (Leicester) UK, registered charity 1039128. Built on word of mouth, not big advertising.

Respect for every tradition

Diwali, Christmas, Vaisakhi, Navratri and family milestones from every community in Leicester. Beef and pork are not served on our grounds.

Straightforward pricing

Every event quoted individually in writing, with a price-match promise across packages and optional extras.

A real team on the night

Event manager and caretaker on duty, three car park and WC attendants, and a full clean-up afterwards.

Your suppliers, your way

No in-house catering. Choose from our partner network or bring your own caterer, décorator and DJ.

Parking for everyone

350+ space free, private floodlit car park. Save your guests a fortune on parking fines.

The day itself

How does a private event work at Maher Centre?

12-hour booking

Your hire covers a full 12 hours: about two hours for suppliers to set up, up to eight hours of party, about two hours to pack down.

Make it yours

Optional banqueting packages (Essential, Classic or Signature) and upgrades like a crystal chandelier or LED dance floor.

Food your way

Your caterer uses our industrial kitchen with four burners, free gas and refrigeration.

Party in comfort

Air-conditioned, step-free throughout, with accessible toilets and free guest Wi-Fi. We handle the clean-up.

More occasions

What other gatherings do we host?

Not everything fits neatly into a category. We also host anniversary dinners and vow renewals, family reunions, community AGMs, cultural evenings, religious gatherings, memorials and remembrance gatherings, and fundraisers of every size. For public-facing and community events, such as melas, graduations, fashion shows and exhibitions, see our event space hire page.

Drinks: your choice

Plenty of our private events are alcohol-free, and that's completely normal here. If you'd like a bar, optional corkage and bar hire comes in three tiers, from bar facilities only to bar staff and glassware. We can supply the drinks or point you to a specialist bar company.

See it for yourself

Venue tours are by appointment and take about 30 minutes. Bring whoever's helping you plan. Popular Saturdays and festival dates book up early, so it's worth checking your date sooner rather than later.

Charity galas Diwali events Milestone birthdays Engagement parties Christmas parties
Common questions

Private and charity event FAQs.

What private events can I hold at Maher Centre?
Charity galas and fundraising dinners, Diwali celebrations, milestone birthdays and anniversaries, engagement parties, Christmas parties, community gatherings and family reunions. If your guest list is large, the hall will suit it.
Is Maher Centre suitable for a small private party?
Maher Centre is one large, pillarless 1,100m² hall rather than a set of small function rooms, so it really comes into its own at around 200 guests and above. For a smaller gathering, ask us honestly whether the space suits your plans.
Who runs Maher Centre?
Maher Centre has been operated since 1996 by Maher Community Association (Leicester) UK, registered charity 1039128. The venue has grown mostly through word of mouth and holds a 4.5 Google rating from 569 reviews.
Do you provide catering for private parties?
Maher Centre does not do in-house catering. You choose a caterer from our partner network, teams who know the venue inside out, or bring your own. Your caterer uses our industrial kitchen. Beef and pork are not served on the grounds of the Maher Centre.
How long can a private party run?
Every booking covers a full 12 hours, including supplier set-up and pack-down, which usually leaves up to about eight hours for the event itself, so nothing ever feels rushed.
Can we decorate the hall for our party?
Yes. Bring your own décorator or ask us to recommend one from our partner network. Optional upgrades include a crystal chandelier, LED dance floor, cold sparklers, LED side screens and a 7m-wide LED screen. Staging is included, and confetti and pyrotechnics are allowed, subject to written approval.
How far ahead should I book a private event?
Popular Saturdays and festival dates such as Diwali and December book up early, so enquire as soon as you have a date in mind. We reply within one working day.
Check your date

Check availability for your event.

Tell us a little about your event and our events team will come back to you within one working day with availability and a written quote.

  • Up to 1,500 guests in one pillarless hall
  • Free on-site parking for 350+ cars
  • Dedicated event manager on the day
  • Use our trusted partners or bring your own suppliers
  • Price-match promise on packages and extras
Prefer to talk? Call 0116 242 5360 or WhatsApp 07922 424871. Venue tours by appointment.

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