Conditions of hire

a) All private bookings are subject to a £100 cautionary deposit, returnable if the hall, fittings, and furnishings are left in a clean, tidy, and good condition. This deposit must be made before entry to the hall is permitted. Your total booking time needs to include any setting up and cleaning afterwards.

b) Time of vacation must be strictly adhered to, any time in excess will be charged at the normal rate. A duty official will open and close the halls for each private booking.

c) The hirer shall pay a deposit of 50% of the cost of a private booking. The private hirer shall pay the balance of fees 4 weeks before the booked date. When hiring on a weekly basis a deposit shall be paid equivalent to a month’s hire and following this an invoice will be raised monthly in advance. Such deposits shall normally only be refundable to the hirer in the event of the Management Committee cancelling the booking.

d) If the Hirer wishes to cancel the booking and the Management Committee is unable to conclude a replacement booking; the question of the repayment of the fees paid (less the deposit) shall be at the discretion of the Management Committee. In the event of the Management Committee cancelling the booking, all fees (including the deposit) paid by the Hirer shall be refunded.

e) The hirer shall leave the halls in as good order and in as clean condition as at the start of the hiring. If there is a default the Charity will charge for putting the hall in good order.

Maximum capacity

We recommend maximum usage at 80 people.

Licences

The hirer shall be responsible for obtaining any licences necessary in connection with the booking, other than those already held by the Management Committee.

Safety requirement

All conditions attached to the granting of the Hall’s Public Entertainment Licence, stage play, or other licences shall be strictly observed. Nothing shall be done which will endanger the users of the building and the policies of insurance relating to it and to its contents.

In particular:

a) Obstructions must not be placed in gangways or exits, nor in front of emergency exits, which must be immediately accessible to exit.

b) The emergency lighting supply must be turned on during the whole time the premises are occupied, and must illuminate all exit signs and routes.

c) Firefighting apparatus shall be kept in its proper place and only used for its intended purpose.

d) The Fire Service shall be called to any outbreak of fire, however slight, following the FIRE ACTION procedure posted on the notice board and details of the occurrence shall be given to the Hall Administrator.

e) Highly flammable substances shall not be brought into or used in any part of the premises. No internal decorations of a combustible nature (e.g. polystyrene, cotton, etc.) shall be undertaken or erected.

f) Children are not allowed in kitchen when hot food is being prepared

g) No dogs except guide dogs are to be brought into the hall.

h) If preparing, serving or selling food to observe all relevant food health and hygiene legislation and regulations.

i) Do not use smoke machines

j) No climbing, sitting or swinging on the ballet barres

k) Fireworks are not allowed on the site, unless permission has been given by the Hall Administrator

l) No unauthorised heating appliances shall be used on the premises

m) The First Aid box is readily available to all users of the premises. It is located in the kitchen.

The Hall Administrator shall be informed of any accident or injury occurring on the premises.

n) All electrical equipment brought into the building shall comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The Management Committee disclaims all responsibility for all claims and costs arising from the use of any such equipment that does not so comply. If in doubt please contact the Management Committee.

o) The hirer shall be responsible for the observance of all regulations appertaining to the premises stipulated by the Licensing Justices, the Fire Authority, the Local Authority or otherwise.

Insurance

The hirer shall be responsible for making arrangements to insure against any third-party claims which may lie against him/her association whilst using the Hall. The Management Committee is insured against any claims arising out of its own negligence.

Subletting

The hirer shall not sublet or use the premises for any unlawful purpose or in any unlawful way nor do anything or bring on to the premises anything which may endanger the premises, their users, or any insurance policies relating thereto.

Property damage

The hirer shall indemnify the Management Committee for the cost of repair of any damage done to any part of the property including the outside area or the contents of the building during or because of a booking.

Alterations

The hirer shall not, without prior consent of the Management Committee, alter or add to the fabric of the halls, nor make alterations to the electrical systems. In the event of drama or other groups carrying out set making, carpentry or other such work, the hall floor is always to be protected.

Intoxicating liquor

No intoxicating liquors are permitted to be bought or sold on any part of the premises without the express permission of the Management Committee, whose consent must also be obtained prior to seeking any Occasional Licence or Permission for the sale of alcoholic liquor.  Any sale of alcohol must finish by 11 pm

Storage

The permission of the Management Committee must be obtained before goods or equipment are left or stored at the hall, except that the Hall Administrator is authorised to grant permission for the overnight storage of goods and equipment brought to the centre for a particular function or event. However, all such goods/equipment are left at the owner’s organiser’s risk, and the Management Committee accept no responsibility for the loss or theft of any items stored.