Have spoken to the venue this am, they have confirmed our booking!
They have changed their mind on the deposit (originally they said that they wanted £200 which I was happy to pay, now they say £10 per person which is their new policy for xmas parties)
I will need to collect the money by 25th September which is when I need to pay the deposit.
Once you have paid and I have paid over the deposit it will be non-refundable. Once I have paid the final amount (a week before the event) the whole amount will be non-refundable. You may of course find someone else to take your place if you can!