Bookings & Availability 

Check out our calendar below to see when the Blue Lights Hall is available.

• CURRENT TARIFF: £11 per hour.

• Day rate is £88

Regular users are billed monthly in arrears. Single occasion users are asked to pay in advance. Further information from our Booking Officer. 

Patrons are reminded to book sufficient time at the beginning and end of their meeting to allow for set-out and clear-up.

CONDITIONS OF HIRE

1.  Supervision.  The Hirer shall be at least 18 years of age and shall, during the period of the hiring, be present and responsible for: supervision of the premises, the fabric and the contents; their care, safety from damage however slight or change of any sort and the behavior of all persons using the premises whatever their capacity. The Hirer shall make good or pay for all damage (including accidental damage) to the premises or to the fixtures, fittings or contents and for loss of contents.

2. Use of Premises.  The Hirer shall not use the premises for any purpose other than that described in the hiring agreement and shall not sub-hire or use the premises or allow the premises to be used for any unlawful purpose or in any unlawful way nor do anything or bring onto the premises anything which may endanger the premises or its occupants or render invalid any insurance policies in respect thereof.

The Hirer acknowledges being informed of the code to the security key box by the Hall door and agrees to keep this information as confidential as is reasonably practicable. The Hirer also undertakes to ensure that the Hall is securely locked at the completion of any period of use. (Alternatively) The Hirer acknowledges receipt of a key to the Hall and undertakes to keep the key secure and to report any loss thereof to the Booking Officer immediately (01237 477627). The Hirer also undertakes to return the key to the management committee on demand. (An additional key can be made available with a deposit of £20.  A lost Key will be Charged at £20).

3. Period of Hire: The Hall and its facilities shall be available to the Hirer only for the period for which it is hired, and the Hirer must make due allowance within this time for any period of preparation or clearing-up required as a consequence of the hire.

4. Cancellation.  The Hirer may cancel a booking, without penalty, by giving seven clear days’ notice in writing (including email) to the Hall Secretary or Booking Officer. Shorter notice of cancellation may incur the full charge for the booked hire.

The Management Committee reserves the right to cancel a hiring by written notice to the Hirer in the event of:

(a) The premises being required for use as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary or Local Government election or bye-election

(b) The Management Committee reasonably considering that (i) such hiring would lead to a breach of licensing conditions, if applicable, or other legal or statutory requirements, or (ii) unlawful or unsuitable activities will take place at the premises as a result of this hiring

(c) The premises becoming unfit for the use intended by the Hirer, or if maintenance or development works are planned which would make the Hall unsuitable for use.

In any such case the Hirer shall be entitled to a refund of any monies already paid, but the Management Committee shall not be liable to the Hirer for any resulting direct or indirect loss or damages whatsoever.

The Hirer agrees that the management committee may vary the terms of this agreement at any time, subject only to the giving of written notice to the Hirer one month in advance.

5. End of Hire.  The Hirer shall be responsible for leaving the premises and surrounding area in a clean and tidy condition, and the counter-top boiler, dishwasher, cooking appliances, all lights switched off, all taps turned off and the Hall properly locked and secured, unless directed otherwise. Any contents temporarily removed from their usual positions shall be properly replaced, in particular, tables shall be folded and returned to their storage trolley and chairs stacked. All rubbish must be taken away by the Hirer. The Management Committee shall be at liberty to make an additional charge if this condition is not complied with.

6. Payment of Charges.

(a) For a single use of the Hall the Hirer shall pay the full charge due in advance of the event.

(b) For regular use of the Hall the Hirer will be billed in arrears and shall pay due charges within 7 days of the date of an invoice in respect of the hire. Payment by bank transfer is preferred to sort code 40-10-17 account number 80166367, account name Blue Lights Management Committee. If this is not possible, a cheque may be sent to the Treasurer, address Blue Lights Hall, 2 Vernons Lane, Appledore EX39 1QU.

In some instances, such as children’s parties, a refundable deposit not exceeding £50, may be requested to cover possible extra cleaning charges.

7. Licenses and Permissions.  The Hirer shall be responsible for obtaining such licenses as may be needed whether for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor and shall have the written consent of the Hall Management Committee for so doing.

The Hall is NOT licensed for the public performance of plays, films, live and recorded music.

8. Gaming, Betting and Lotteries.  The Hirer shall ensure that nothing is done on or in relation to the premises in contravention of the law relating to gaming, betting and lotteries (Gambling Act 2005).

9. Public Safety Compliance.  The Hirer shall comply with all conditions and regulations made in respect of the premises by the Fire Authority, Local Authority, l Magistrates' Court or otherwise, particularly in connection with any event which includes public dancing or music or other similar public entertainment or stage plays. Fire Doors must be kept shut except in an emergency. The Hirer shall note that the Fire Authority has recommended that users should not exceed 50 persons at any one time. The Hirer shall ensure that access to external fire escapes (doors) is not obstructed at any time.

The Hirer accepts that there are some limitations on the use of the Hall by disabled persons.

10. Health and Hygiene.  The Hirer shall ensure that all relevant food health and hygiene legislation and regulations are complied with. Any person cooking food in the kitchen should hold the Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene or equivalent.

110. Electrical Appliance Safety.  The Hirer shall ensure that any electrical appliances brought by them to the premises and used there shall be safe and in good working order and used in a safe manner.

12. Indemnity.  The Hirer shall indemnify and keep indemnified each member of the Blue Lights Hall Management Committee and its employees, volunteers, agents and invitees against (a) the cost of repair of any damage done to any part or contents of the premises, and (b) all claims in respect of damage or loss of property or injury to persons arising as a result of the use of the premises (including the storage of equipment) by the Hirer. The Blue Lights Hall is insured against any claims arising out of its own negligence.

13. Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences.  The Hirer must report all accidents involving injury as soon as possible to a member of the Hall Management Committee and complete the relevant section in the Hall's Accident Report Book (stored with the First Aid Box in the kitchen). Any failure of equipment either belonging to the Hall or brought in by the Hirer must also be reported as soon as possible. In accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), certain types of accident or injury must be reported on a special form to the local authority. The Hall Secretary will give assistance in completing this form.

14. Animals.  No animals whatsoever are to enter the kitchen at any time. Owners or supervisors of animals brought into the Hall are wholly responsible for the behavior and actions of their animals.

15. Compliance with The Children Act 1989.  The Hirer shall ensure that any activities for children under eight years of age comply with the provisions of The Children Act of 1989 and that only fit and proper persons have access to the children.

16. Sale of Goods.  The Hirer shall, if selling goods on the premises, comply with Fair Trading Laws and any code of practice used in connection with such sales. In particular, the Hirer shall ensure that the total prices of all goods and services are prominently displayed, as shall be the organiser's name and address and that any discounts offered are based only on Manufacturers' Recommended Retail Prices.

17. Noise. The Hirer is responsible for ensuring that the noise level of the function is such that it does not cause inconvenience for occupiers of nearby properties or interference with other activities within the building. External doors must be kept shut except in an emergency.

18. Stored equipment.  The Management Committee accepts no responsibility for any stored equipment or other property brought on to or left at the premises, and all liability for loss or damage is hereby excluded. All equipment and other property (other than equipment stored by agreement) must be removed at the end of each hiring or a fee may be charged for each day or part of a day until the same is removed. The Blue Lights Hall may, at its discretion dispose of any such items by sale or otherwise as it thinks fit, if such equipment or property is not removed within 7 days of the end of the hire period.

19. No alterations.  No alterations or additions may be made to the premises nor may any fixtures be installed or placards, decorations or other articles be attached in any way to any part of the premises without the prior approval of the Hall Management Committee. Any alteration, fixture or fitting or attachment so approved shall be removed by the Hirer at the end of the hiring, and the Hirer shall be responsible for remedying any consequential damage.

20. No rights.  The hiring agreement constitutes permission only to use the premises and confers no tenancy or other right of occupation on the Hirer.

21. Validity.  These conditions are current from 1 January 2023 until further notice.

Reference in this document to specific Acts and regulations shall be taken to include any subsequent replacement or modification thereto.