A huge, new event space and dining experience has opened at The National Archives in Kew to make its site more vibrant for visitors.

As part of the organisation's ‘Archives Inspire plan’, the space is designed to change how visitors engage with The National Archives’ collections and expand its public programmes.

‘The Events Space’ had its debut for a celebratory event earlier this month to highlight the work of volunteers at the archives, where it hosted more than a hundred people.

Lee Oliver, head of venue management for the National Archives said: ‘It allows us to expand our public programme and increase the range, capacity and frequency of public talks, events and other activities.

“This will in turn allow us to serve a wider audience including more families, students and teachers, community and arts groups as well as national and international researchers."

The new, flexible space comprises a double height 150-seat tiered auditorium and a versatile adjoining space which can accommodate a further 100 people, giving an overall capacity of 250 for the entire space.

Fitted with high quality audio visual equipment, the event space has professional-standard acoustics and is fully accessible for all users.

In addition, The National Archives will be working in partnership with BaxterStorey, from Saturday 1 July, to offer a new extensive new menu, catering for different tastes, dietary requirements and utilising fresh British produce.

BaxterStorey’s culinary range includes sourdough pizza, ‘Mexican Kitchen’ offering a great range from lime and sweet chilli prawns to smoky pulled chicken and the ‘Modern Baker’ range of cakes and biscuits all baked on site.

Caroline Ottaway Searle, director for public engagement, said: ‘The quality and range of our catering at The National Archives has always been important to us.

“As we develop our public programme and attract new audiences, we want our food and beverage offer to change with us, to better meet the needs of both new and regular visitors."