Conditions and Regulations Governing the Hiring of Alford Corn Exchange


Introduction

The Alford Corn Exchange (here ‘ACE’) is operated by the Alford Corn Exchange Community Group (here ’Group’), a local Charity whose aim it is to maintain and improve the Alford Corn Exchange for the use by the local population and to offer entertainment and other events for the benefit of the local population.

  1. Booking the Corn Exchange

    Prices for the booking of our hall are displayed on our website  www.alfordcornexchange.co.uk
    To enquire about availability of the ACE please email  booking@alfordcornexchange.co.uk

    If the requested dates are available our Booking Officer will send you a booking form and a number of safety related forms.  Please fill in and sign all forms and send to us together with the required hire fees and deposit payments.

    Filling in the booking form confirms that you have read and accepted our T+Cs.
  2. Payment

    Payment of all fees and charges must be at the point of booking or, if agreed with the booking officer, at least 4 weeks prior to the event to

    Alford Corn Exchange Community Group
    Alford Corn Exchange
    9 Market Place
    Alford
    LN13 9EB

    The office is open Monday to Friday 1pm to 2pm

    You can use bank transfer to

    Alford Corn Exchange Community Group
    Lloyds
    Acc: 24572368
    Sortcode: 30-65-86

    Any cheques must be made payable to ‘Alford Corn Exchange Community Group’

    Regular hirers are required to set up a standing order for the payment of their booking fees.
  3. Deposits

    Deposits are required for one-off events.  The deposit must be paid when the event is booked. After the event the Group will survey the venue and identify any damages or oncosts caused.  After this survey the deposit is refunded either in full or with the costs for the rectification of any damages or oncosts deducted.  Such oncosts might include the use by the hirer of tablecloths or banqueting chairs without prior agreement.

    Higher risk events such as 18th birthday parties will either not be permitted or require a higher deposit, at a minimum £300.  Higher figures can be requested by the Group.  Additional guarantees or supervision might also be required.
  4. Refusal of Applications and Cancellations

    The Alford Corn Exchange Community Group (Group) reserves the right to refuse any application for the hiring of the Alford Corn Exchange (ACE) without being required to give any reason for such refusal.

    The Group will not accept applications for hire of the ACE from any person(s) under the age of 21.

    The Group will automatically refuse hire by people or groups of people who previously did not pay all fees or costs or who caused physical or reputational damage to the ACE.

    Events, where there is a likelihood of physical or reputational damage or where the neighbourhood could be disturbed will be refused by the Group.

    The Group reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the ACE and to repay any pre-payments.  However, the Group shall be under no liability for expenses incurred or losses sustained by the Hirer as a result of the cancellation.

    Cancellation of a booking by the Hirer must be made in writing.  A charge of 50% of the hire fee will be made for any bookings cancelled less than six weeks prior to the Event.  Hirers who do not use the ACE as booked or fail to notify the Booking Officer in writing of a cancellation, shall forfeit any hire charge paid and shall be liable to the Group for the whole of the hire charge together with any additional expenses incurred by the Group.

    Regular hirers of the ACE must notify the Group 4 weeks in advance if a date is to be cancelled or will be charged the full amount of the hire in the week missed.

    Substitution and amendments to the nature of the Booking must be notified in writing to the Booking Officer, who reserves the right to either cancel the Booking or to amend the hire fee.  In the event of such cancellation, the Hirer shall be liable for full charges and costs.

    The Group accepts no responsibility for the non-arrival of application forms, remittances or cancellations.
  5. Emergencies

    The Group shall have the right to cancel any Booking in the event of an emergency of any kind.  The Group will consider refunding part or all of any fees and charges paid and the amount shall be at the Group’s sole discretion.
  6. Use of the Venue

    Keys must be collected from the ACE office (Monday to Friday 1pm to 2pm) or on special appointment.

    Hirers must read the full hire agreement and follow the instructions of user manuals in the ACE.

    Hirers must ensure that the whole of the ACE is left in a clean and tidy state, including the kitchen, in which all floors, working surfaces, ovens, refrigerators and sinks must be adequately cleaned.  Cleaning must be carried out within the hire period.

    All litter and refuse generated by the Event must be removed from the premises by the Hirer within the hire period.

    Setting up or dismantling must be carried out in the hire period. &nbs['It is not possible to start setting up of events out of hire time without the explicit permission of the Group.

    The Hirer must, at all times, take good care of the ACE building and will be liable for any damage to the ACE or any part of it or any equipment or other property of the Group whether forming part of the hire or not.

    The Hirer shall repay to the Group on demand the cost of reinstating, repairing or replacing or cleansing any part of or property in the ACE if damaged, destroyed, stolen or removed prior to, during, or subsequent to the period of hire if related to or by reason of the hiring. The Group’s valuation of any damage/loss is final. The property of the Hirer and the Hirer’s agents must be removed by the end of the period of hire or by a time and date to be agreed with the Booking Officer.  The Group accepts no responsibility for any property left on the ACE before, during or after the hire period. &nbs['Should equipment be left for longer than the hire time agreed, a surcharge will apply.

    If the Hirer fails to perform any of its obligations, the Group reserves the right to perform any such obligations and any costs incurred by the Group in the performance of such obligations shall be borne by the Hirer.

    The Hirer is responsible, at certain functions, for the provision of Registered Door Supervisors trained to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) standards.

    Names and details of proposed door supervisors must be supplied to East Lindsey District Group’s Licensing Enforcement Officer no later than six weeks prior to the event.

    The Hirer is responsible for the administration, organisation and running of the Event and for having sufficient stewards, fire wardens and officials to fulfill these Conditions.

    If a cloakroom area is required during an event, the Group will not be held responsible for of any loss or damage to personal belongings. The responsibility will be the Hirer’s.

    The Hirer is responsible for the supervision and control of Event participants, officials, visitors and spectators.

    Commercial Hirers must ensure that any portable or transportable electrical equipment and systems brought into the ACE have been tested in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.  Test certificates and/or labelled equipment should be available for inspection during visits by officers of the Group.

    The Hirer shall not be permitted to remove or obscure Group notices or placards displayed on the ACE without the prior written consent of the Group.

    No flags, decorations, cables or other articles shall be fixed to the walls, floors or ceilings of the ACE without prior consent of the Group.  No tape or adhesive of any sort must be fitted to walls, ceilings and floors of the CE.  Please only use easily-removed sticking materials (eg Blu Tack) on doors and skirting boards.

    The Hirer shall ensure that no noise nuisance is caused to occupiers of properties surrounding the ACE or users of the immediate surrounding area of the Venue.

    The fire exit to the back must remain closed at all times unless in an emergency to avoid noise disturbance to neighbors.  When music is played, the front doors must also be closed.

    The Hirer will not permit the operation or release of any high flying object without the prior written consent of the Group.

    It is the responsibility of the Hirer to liaise with the Alford Town Council and the local Police regarding the impact the Event may have on community safety in the vicinity of the Venue.   Hirer agrees to comply with any requirements of the Town Clerk and the local Police regarding community safety.

    Real or artificial smoke shall not be produced on the premises without prior approval of the Group.

    NO SMOKING is permitted anywhere inside the building, this includes e-cigarettes.

    NO OPEN FLAMES such as candles are permitted.  Please speak with the ACE Manager if an exception is required or if you need support with battery operated candles.

    The Hirer shall not bring into the ACE any flammable fuel, flammable gases, fireworks, explosives, pressurized gas cylinders or articles that produce an offensive smell without the written approval of the Group.

    The Hirer shall obtain approval from the Group for the use of generators at the Event.  If such approval shall be granted the Hirer must ensure that any generators permitted at the event are operated outside and in a safe manner and are segregated from the public or are protected by suitable covers or barrier, so as to prevent access by members of the public
  7. Sale & Supply of Alcohol

    The sale or consumption of alcoholic drinks is strictly prohibited unless the bar facility has been hired at the time of booking, or prior agreement has been sought from the Group. No alcohol must be brought into the ACE without the prior written permission of the Group. The Group can provide a bar service which can be requested at the time of booking.  ACE will provide all the stock and will retain all takings from the bar.

    While our bar staff are taking all steps to avoid serving underage drinkers, the Hirer must also supervise underage visitors to ensure that they are not drinking or buying alcohol.

    The Group’s bar staff have been instructed that if they are unsure of the age of an individual, proof must be requested and shown in the form of a passport, photo driving licence or a PROVE IT card (proof of age PASS scheme).  If in doubt, the sale of alcohol must be refused.  It is therefore in your interests to advise anyone attending who may be affected by this ruling to ensure that they have proof of age with them to prevent any misunderstanding or embarrassment.

    Under no circumstances can a person under 18 years of age purchase alcohol, nor have it purchased for them, nor be allowed to drink alcohol on the premises.  Failure to abide by this legal requirement will result in bar staff being instructed by the Group’s Personal Licence Holder attending the event to cease selling alcohol for the remainder of the event. No monies paid will be refunded.

    A member of the Group who holds a Personal Licence under the 2003 Licensing Act will normally attend during the event.
  8. Compliance with the Children Act 2006

    The Hirer shall ensure that any activities for children under eight years of age comply with the provisions of the Childcare Act 2006 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and that only fit and proper persons who have passed the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks should have access to the children.  Checks may also apply where children over eight and vulnerable adults are taking part in activities.  The Hirer shall provide the Group’s committee with a copy of their DBS check and Child Protection Policy on request.
  9. Right of Entry

    Authorised Group Officers shall be permitted entry to the ACE at all times during the period of hire.

    Admission to public dances and concerts is to be by TICKET only, purchased at the door or prior to the event.

    The Group reserves the right to refuse admission to or evict any person from the ACE without being required to give any reason.

    The Group reserves the right to define a maximum limit for the number of persons attending an Event.
  10. Assignment

    The booking shall be personal to the Hirer and the right to use the ACE shall not be sublet, assigned or otherwise transferred; the Hirer shall not assign the benefit or burden of any part of the Agreement, or sublet or subcontract any part of the facility without the prior written consent of the Group.
  11. Broadcasting and Television

    The Hirer may not carry out or allow or permit to be carried out any photography, filming, video recording, taping television or radio broadcasts or any other recording of any kind of the Event for commercial use during the period of hire without prior consent of the Group.  If such consent is given, the Group reserves the right to be a party to any negotiations and the terms and conditions of any agreements reached and to share any income and publicity derived therefrom.
  12. Advertisements

    No advertising material may be issued nor tickets sold until such time as a Booking has been made and any deposits due paid.
  13. Fly Posting

    No advertising material is to be displayed anywhere on the ACE or elsewhere in the town unless it conforms to the permitted displays authorised by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations 1992.

    The Group offers the placement of event posters on various information boards and online at its discretion.  Please ask the Booking Officer for help.
  14. Permits and Licences

    The Hirer shall ensure that any licence, permit or other consent which may be required is obtained, whether from the Group or otherwise, before the Event may take place and shall, where requested, produce to the Group on demand copy of such licence, permit or consent. If any such licence, permit or consent has not been obtained, the Group reserves the right to cancel the booking forthwith.

    In order to hold a licensable activity on the premises or on part of the premises not covered by the ACE Premises Licence a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) will need to be given to the licensing authority.  The Hirer shall obtain the written consent of ACE on the form provided for this purpose before giving the licensing authority a TEN.  Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the hiring without compensation because there is a limit on the number of TENs which can be granted annually for any premises.  Lack of co-operation could affect future fundraising by the Group’s committee and local voluntary organisations.

    The Hirer will be responsible for exhibiting all necessary permits during the Event.

    Nothing shall be done by the Hirer that shall or may contravene the terms and conditions of any licence (e.g. Premises Licence), permit and/or licences or consent issued in respect of the Venue.

    The Group hold the licence of the Performing Rights Society Limited to perform or permit to be performed at the ACE.  It is the responsibility of the Hirer to furnish the Performing Rights Society Limited a list of all music performed and all songs performed at the ACE on the occasion of the hiring.  It is also the responsibility of the Hirer to ensure that any fees due to the Performing Rights Society Limited in respect of the above are paid directly to the Performing Rights Society Limited.
  15. Emergency Evacuation and Health and Safety

    The Hirer shall familiarise themselves with the locations of emergency exits and fire fighting equipment prior to the event. A fire safety guidance document issued by ACE must be read and signed together with the booking form.  Users and visitors of an event need to be informed by the hirer about fire exits and any fire safety measures as appropriate.

    The Hirer must provide Fire Wardens suitably instructed to help with the evacuation of users in an emergency, especially of disabled users. The Fire Wardens are also responsible to communicate with the emergency services.  They need to ensure, as far as safely possible, that the building is fully evacuated and is not re-entered before the building is declared safe again.

    The Hirer shall keep all passages and staircases within the ACE free from any obstruction.  This is particularly important in the case of passages leading to fire exits.

    If the Hirer is aware that disabled people are expected to attend the Event, he/she should, before the Event, visit the ACE to be notified of arrangements and trained in the use of equipment provided in case of any emergency.

    Emergency equipment, e.g. fire extinguishers and evacuation chairs, must be fully accessible at all times and only used for the purpose intended.  The costs incurred to replace damaged, lost or stolen emergency equipment will be charged to the Hirer.

    Work carried out at the ACE before (setting up) during or after (dismantling) an event must be undertaken by participants/contractors (including artistes) in accordance with the requirements of safety legislation.
  16. Indemnity and Insurance

    The Group is not responsible and will not accept liability for loss, damage, injury or death howsoever, and by whomsoever caused, whether to property or person(s) sustained by any person in the Venue.

    The Hirer is responsible for all safety aspects of the ACE prior to, during or following the Event and must accept liability for any loss, damage injury or death howsoever, and by whomsoever caused, whether to property or person(s) sustained by any person(s) in the venue.

    The Hirer agrees to indemnify the Group against all claims, actions, demands, proceedings, cost or awards in respect of any loss, damage, injury or death to persons or property engaged by or assisting the Hirer.

    Commercial Hirers agree to take out Public Liability Insurance Cover or Third Party Risks [including products liability where appropriate] for a minimum of £2 million (two million pounds) and produce evidence of such insurance.

    The commercial Hirer will be required to produce evidence of the existence of Public Liability Insurance at such level as required by the Group in respect of any exhibitor, ground entertainer, sub contractor, caterer which the Hirer has instructed or authorised to appear at the event.

    Failure to provide proof of insurance cover as required prior to the Event will lead to its cancellation.
  17. Catering

    The Group offers a catering service. No other caterers must be used unless agreed by the Group in writing.  Any such permitted caterer must comply fully with the requirements of the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Safety General Fund Hygiene Regulations 1995 and any amendments thereto and comply with all instructions given by the Environmental Health Officer.
  18. Collections or Lotteries

    No collections, games of chance, sweep stakes, lotteries or betting of any kind may be conducted at the ACE without the relevant licences being awarded and the prior written consent of the Group.
  19. Property not Removed

    The Group may remove and store any property that is left by the Hirer in or upon the ACE after the period of hire.  The Hirer shall repay to the Group on demand the costs of such removal and storage.

    The Group shall not be held responsible for any damage to or theft of property by or during its removal or storage.  The Group is entitled to remove and sell in such a manner as they think fit any property left at the ACE as a result of the hiring not claimed within 28 days. The proceeds of sale of which shall be the Group’s.

  20. Variations to Agreement

    The Group reserves the right to vary the Conditions at any time on 7 days notice. Any variations so made shall be deemed to be incorporated in these Conditions.  The Hirer may, within 7 days of receipt of such notice, terminate this agreement.
  21. Maximum Capacity

    Main Hall: Close Seating 200 people
    Rear Room: Close Seating 30 people
    Main Hall Dancing or Tables/Chairs, Rear Room used for bar purposes. In total 130 people
  22. Period of Premises Licence

    Monday to Sunday      0900 to 0200 Hours.

    Please note
    All music must finish at midnight!
    The bar must finish at midnight!