Sourcing Suppliers at Tobacco Dock: What You Need to Know Before You Brief

Tobacco Dock operates with a tiered supplier model. In some categories, specific partners are mandatory because of the nature of the building. In others, the venue has preferred partners it recommends, while still leaving room for external suppliers who meet the relevant standards. Knowing which category falls into which tier is the essential first step before any brief is written.

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Audio Visual and Lighting

CT Group are the in-house AV and lighting partner at Tobacco Dock, and their role goes beyond a standard preferred supplier arrangement. As a Grade I listed building, any work involving rigging or power drops must be carried out by CT Group, whose team has an in-depth understanding of the building’s structural requirements and its protected status. They have also recently installed an impressive LED screen in the Great Gallery, which opens up strong options for content-driven events.

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That said, other AV and production suppliers can work in the building. Many clients choose to bring in their own preferred production partner for creative direction and content delivery. Lumix partner network suppliers including EventPro AV and Hire Frequencies both have strong experience delivering alongside in-house technical teams in complex venue environments. The important thing to understand is that CT Group’s involvement in rigging and power infrastructure is not optional. Any external supplier working on site needs to coordinate with them, and the brief needs to reflect that from the outset.

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Food and Beverage

For catering, Tobacco Dock Food Company is the exclusive in-house caterer and handles the majority of food and beverage delivery across the venue. They are an accomplished partner with strong experience across the range of events the venue hosts.

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In certain circumstances, there is also the option to bring in street food vendors through Kerb, a well-known operator in the London street food market. Where this is appropriate, it can add a distinctive and informal dimension to the event experience. Your Lumix Account Manager can advise on whether the brief and format are suited to this arrangement and help you navigate the conversation with the venue.

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Wifi, Graphics, Wayfinding, and More

The preferred supplier matrix extends across a wide range of additional categories, including health and safety, security, cleaning, wifi infrastructure, graphics and print, wayfinding and signage, and stand build. In each of these areas, Tobacco Dock has established relationships with partners who know the building well.

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Where there is flexibility to appoint external suppliers, Lumix has vetted partner networks across all of these categories. For wifi, Max WiFi are specialists in high-density event connectivity and have delivered at venues with equally demanding infrastructure requirements. For graphics and wayfinding, Displayways are a strong option with direct experience across large-format event environments. For security, Oracle Security Services provide SIA-licensed personnel for events of all scales. Many of the supplier partners we work with understand what working in a complex listed environment actually requires, and that experience shortens the briefing process considerably.