Please read these terms and conditions carefully. If you do not understand any part of them, or would like further explanation, please contact the Centre. If you need help complying with these terms and conditions, or with any other aspect of running your event, please ask – we are here to help.

The Centre adheres to new legislation 'Simpler Recycling' in effect from 1st April 2025. All food waste and food contaminated packaging MUST be removed from the centre by the hirer and NOT be placed in the bins at the centre.

By agreeing to these terms and conditions, the hirer will be responsible for the safety of all members of their party whilst in the building and on the grounds. Please familiarise yourself with the fire exits and the evacuation procedure on arrival.

1. All bookings are to be made using an official booking form, available online or from the Monica Graham Centre.

2. The hirer shall use the premises only for the times, and for the persons or organisations stated in the booking form. All setting up and clearing away time must be included in the time period booked. Any extended use of time or additional space used may be subject to additional fees being charged.

3. Standbridge Lane Community Development Trust (The Monica Graham Centre) reserves the right to refuse any application for use of the Centre.

4. Standbridge Lane Community Trust reserves the right to alter the allocation of rooms to Hirers. This is occasionally done to ensure the best possible allocation of space and to minimise disruption caused to/by other users of the Centre.

5. If Standbridge Community Trust has reason to believe that the use of the Centre is likely to lead to any disorder or disharmony in local community, or it considers that the hiring is likely to be of an objectionable or undesirable nature and not in accordance with the aims and ethos of the Centre, we may refuse to accept or may cancel your booking, and any fees or deposits paid will be returned.

Standbridge Community Trust reserves the right to cancel a booking if the Centre is required for other purposes as determined by the Trustees. In such circumstances, Standbridge Community Trust will provide the maximum notice possible, and any fees or deposits paid will be returned.

Notice of cancellation must be given in writing to SLCDT 14 days prior to the event. Changes to be made to an ongoing longer term booking also require 14 days’ notice in writing. Failure to do so will incur the full rental cost.

6. Charges for the hire of the Centre must be paid in full within the timescale specified by Standbridge Community Trust when your booking is agreed. Failure to pay applicable charges may result in your booking being cancelled and/or a refusal of future bookings. Please note that Standbridge Community Trust is not currently registered for VAT purposes.

7. Payment arrangements for regular bookings will be agreed with Standbridge Community Trust and will normally be on a weekly or monthly basis. Standbridge Community Trust will review payment arrangements from time to time or at the request of the Hirer.

8. A deposit may be required in addition to a booking fee. Examples of when the deposit will be retained include:
• the Centre was not vacated by the end of the time booked
• the hired space was not left in a clean and usable state. This includes the kitchen and communal areas such as the foyers, toilets and outdoor areas
• damage has been caused to the Centre or contents
• additional areas of the Centre were used without consent

9. The Hirer shall inform Standbridge Community Trust staff of any serious injury or dangerous occurrence that affects public safety, as soon as is reasonably practical.

10. Standbridge Community Trust reserves the right of entry for its trustees, employees and any authorised volunteers or contractors to all parts of the Centre at all times.

11. Standbridge Community Trust has the right to state the maximum number of people to be allowed entry into the Centre or any event at any one time, and at no time will this exceed 120 people in total.

12. Use of inflatables e.g. bouncy castles must be supplied by a professional company who have public liability insurance and must meet health and safety requirements for inflatables.

13. No lighting, heating, power or other electrical fittings or appliances in the Centre are to be altered, moved or in any way interfered with.

14. The hirers shall be responsible whilst using the premises for the preservation of order and shall take all practicable steps to ensure that nothing shall occur at the premises which might offend against any statute or by-law or any regulations respecting the hiring of the premises.

15. Smoking is not permitted in any part of the premises, and the hirer shall ensure that this policy is strictly always adhered to.

16. The hirer shall be responsible for informing all persons present at their booking of the location of fire escape routes and fire fighting equipment and when it is anticipated that more than sixty people might be present, or when specified by the Standbridge Community Trust.

17. The hirers shall ensure that emergency exit routes are unlocked and not in any way obstructed at any time. When seating is used the hirers shall also be responsible for ensuring adequate gangways are maintained to facilitate a speedy evacuation in the event of an emergency.

18. All catering must only be provided for those attending your own event. The Hirer is responsible for ensuring that any caterer used abides by the Terms and Conditions of this agreement.

19. All spaces occupied by the hirer, including common areas, toilets, kitchen facilities etc, must be left in a tidy and clean state, any rubbish being removed from the premises at the end of the meeting/event. If this is not done the Centre may make additional charges to cover the cost of cleaning. Any additional cleaning costs incurred by the centre will be charged at £15.00 per hour.

20. All furniture, equipment and other possessions belonging to the hirers shall be removed from the premises by the hirers immediately after each booking unless storage arrangements have been agreed with the Centre beforehand.

21. The Hirer must ensure that at the end of the period of hire, the furniture is returned to its original position, and the doors and windows of the centre are secure.

22. No nails, tacks, drawing pins or staples shall be driven into any part of the walls or floors of the building. No adhesive tape or pads can be used to affix materials of any sort to any part of the building at the Centre.

23. Hirers are responsible for ensuring that the noise level of activities does not cause interference with other activities in and around the Centre or disturb occupiers of nearby premises. Standbridge Community Trust accepts no responsibility or liability for the cancellation or closure of an event due to unacceptable noise levels or noise nuisance.

24. In the case of evening events, hirers are requested to encourage participants/audience/performers to leave as promptly and quietly as possible at the end of the booking and to ensure that the removal of any equipment is done in the same manner.

25. No alcohol may be brought onto the premises without the prior permission of the Centre. Under no circumstances will any Hirer be permitted to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises. This includes providing alcohol as part of entry fees, ticket prices or in return for donations.

26. Standbridge Community Trust does not tolerate drug use on any part of its premises, indoors or outdoors. Hirers have a responsibility to ensure any identified drug use is stopped and/or reported immediately. Failure to do so can result in both the termination of the event and refusal of future room bookings.

27. If any drug paraphernalia such as needles ("sharps") is found in or around the centre, Centre staff should be informed immediately. Please do not attempt to remove such items yourself as you risk serious harm.

28. Standbridge Community Trust cannot in any circumstances accept responsibility or liability for any damage or loss of property placed or left in the Centre by the Hirer or any other person.

29. Please inform us on the day of hire if any damage has been done to either the premises or property during your usage. If, in the opinion of the Standbridge Community Trust, the damage goes beyond that of normal wear and tear, the hirer will be asked to make good or cover the cost of repair.

30. No naked flames are allowed on the premises e.g. candles etc due to potential fire risk.

31. When hiring the hall or meeting rooms, access to the rest of the building is limited to the toilet facilities and small kitchen. (No children under the age of 18 are allowed in the small kitchen unless supervised by an adult.)

32. In the case of non-observance or non-performance by the hirers of any conditions, or in the case that Standbridge Community Trust shall believe there is any interference with other Centre users or staff, or that the wear and tear of the premises, furniture, or fittings is excessive, Centre staff may terminate the hiring at any time without notice.