The venue need to be able to tell you under which exemption this falls if they are saying it can go ahead as its a single booking for one party. It doesn't. Its illegal.
Its a gathering of more than 6. Which isn't under the exemption list. Even weddings are only allowed 30 for a ceremony under the exemptions. And not for a reception. You are talking 25 children plus a parent. Thats 50.
In what way do you think this is legal? I'm genuinely curious.
And the problem is the adults who, even if they are sat on separate tables WILL NOT adhere to the rest of the new laws whilst in the venue which is why the situation isnt allowed.
The law EXPLICITLY states that if you see people you know whilst going out (to restaurant, pub etc) you are not to interact with them. How will you manage that? The whole fucking point of a party is to see other people you know. The venue to be covid safe much have a set up to ensure and enforce this.
Any venue has a legal obligation to enforce this rule as of Monday. Why would you want to go to a venue with a very lack attitude to being covid secure?
The problem here is less about the children who are in the same bubble, but the parents who will be incapable of just sitting staring at their coffee without nattering at other parents on other tables. And before too long musical chairs will ensue 'because they are all in the same bubble anyway'. And thats the problem. Children are thought to have lower transmission rates which slow / inhibit the spread (though they do get it). Adults are a different matter.
Tbh i think you are just looking for someone to say how its fine so you can feel fine about it and justify it to other parents. Rather than acting like a grown up and accepting that unfortunately this can't happen anymore.
If the venue are telling you different about how its fine to proceed they are lying to protect their income / refuse giving you a refund.
What is their covid plan to enforce parents remaining on their separate tables and not talking to each other and for very young children to not interact with other children they know well (they tend to be more hestitate around unfamiliar children)?
If you have a good answer to that problem, be sure to share it on here because i suspect a lot of other venues would be keen to know it.
You are also putting other parents in a really awkward position by asking them to be willing to break the law. Or turn down going to a party which they gave previously said they will attend. What happens if there is an outbreak at the venue that you are caught up in? I know a couple of parents who are teachers who have been told in no uncertain terms if they are found to have breached rules they face formal disciplinaries at school (in part because they have to enforce rules at school and setting an example is an important part if that). You might upset other parents with this and create real tensions going forward regardless of whether they actually turn up or not. Some people are more relaxed about things but others very concerned about the situation or vulnerable relatives. If you proceed, how do you know you wont get a pissed off / upset parent reporting you / the venue? (Perhaps because they ultimately have some obligation to do so with their job as this would fall under safeguarding).
I am baffled by why you think in any way this is fine and you can just carry on as normal.
Its one thing for people to be talking about breaking the rules with 7 or 8 people meeting up in a back garden and another to be still be proposing parties for 50 (which still wouldn't have been legal before the tightening of the restrictions I might add).
No and just no.