Hosting Any Questions?
We are very grateful for the invitations we receive from potential future venues, and we are keen to take Any Questions? to as wide a range of locations as we can.
If you would like to host the programme and think you have a suitable space to stage the broadcast, we would be delighted to hear from you. If you aren’t sure if your venue is suitable, please do get in touch by emailing anyquestions@bbc.co.uk
Here are a few tips on what hosting the programme involves:
Timings: We open the doors to the public at 6.30pm, and the programme begins at 8pm. Our technical team need access from around midday, and the production team arrive in the early afternoon.
Staffing: A small team of stewards from the venue help seat the audience, monitor parking, and run the questions from the question boxes to the production team.
Space: The stage or platform area will need to safely accommodate our four panellists and presenter. Away from the main audience area, we need a room for a production office, and a second space as a Green Room for the panel before the show.
Parking: Our Outside Broadcast van needs a large parking space at the venue all day. A few spaces for the production team and the panel would also be helpful.
Ticketing: This is the responsibility of the venue. Members of your school, church or organisation’s community are likely to want to come and we ask that at least half the tickets are made available to the general public on a first come, first served basis. We also notify the main political parties about where the programme is going to be. Entry to the programme is free and is by ticket only. We can provide paper tickets if you require them.
Health and Safety: There are a number of requirements we need to go through with you well in advance of the programme, including wheelchair access, local fire regulations, emergency evacuation exits and first aid provision. We would also request that someone from your team does an introduction to the audience before the show and explains the safety procedures.
Publicity: We will send you posters to help advertise the programme to the general public and you should have your own ways of contacting your local community. Your BBC Local Radio station is a good way to publicise the programme (we can help with this). In addition, local press are often keen to feature the programme’s visit to your area.
The Questions: These come from the audience on the night and we will provide slips and question boxes. There’s also an opportunity for the audience to submit their question by email.
Costs: The BBC pays a £300 facility fee to cover use of the hall, administration costs and any expenses on the night - for example, chair hire or support staff.
Site Survey: The BBC's engineers will visit your venue some weeks before the broadcast as they will need to assess its technical capacity. They will contact you directly to arrange a convenient time.
BBC Child Protection Policy: We work in compliance with the BBC’s Child Protection Policy which means we treat children and young people with respect and dignity; we do not offer our own or ask for personal details from any child or young person. We would not place ourselves in a supervisory position regarding any children, and we would report any concerns we had about a child or young person to our contact in the school or venue. For more information please see the BBC’s Child Protection Policy.
