Charges and Payments |
| 1 | The amount charged for each letting shall be in accordance with Durham County Council’s Scale of Charges, in force at the time the booking is made. |
| 2 | For wedding functions, full charges for the hire of the premises and all facilities required shall be paid in advance and no later than 28 days prior to the date on which the function is due to take place. For general room hire, payment will be on receipt of an invoice after the hire takes place. |
| 3 | If the hirer wishes to cancel the booking, a minimum of 28 days notice should be given in writing, otherwise the full charge will be due and payable. |
| 4 | Durham County Council reserves the right to move the hirer to a room of equal or greater rate of charge without increasing the charge previously agreed with the hirer. |
Catering |
| 5 | Hirers requiring catering as part of their hire will require two contracts necessitating two payments – one with the Town Hall for the hire of the room and one with the Town Hall’s contracted caterer. Hirers should make clear on the booking form whether they require catering. Hirers cannot use their own caterers, or bring or make their own refreshments. The caterer will contact the hirer to discuss their requirements and any terms and conditions and will then issue the hirer a separate contract which may well include different cancellation provisions. DCC cannot accept liability for any element of the agreement between the hirer and the caterer. |
Insurance |
| 6 | In the case of functions to which the public are invited the hirer shall arrange appropriate insurance to the satisfaction of Durham County Council. Please tick the section on the booking form to confirm that insurance has been arranged and stipulate the financial limit. |
Loss and Damage |
| 7 | Durham County Council shall exercise the right of superintendence and the entire control of all facilities, for the protection of the property, for the accommodation of the public and for the purpose of compliance with the conditions of the various licences subsisting in respect of the facilities, and of assisting the Licensee in complying with the licensing laws. |
| 8 | The hirer, together with the Town Hall staff, must inspect all rooms and equipment pertaining to the hire, prior to the commencement of the function, to ensure that there are no defects, and he/ she or a nominated representative must sign a certificate indicating that he/ she is satisfied with the condition of the premises and any equipment before the function starts. Should any damage to Bishop Auckland Town Hall property or equipment occur during the period of the hire, the hirer will guarantee to meet the cost of making good the same. For this purpose a certificate by the Manager as to the nature and extent of any such damage shall become conclusive and binding on the hirer. |
| 9 | Durham County Council will not be responsible for the safe custody of the property of the hirer, or any property of any employee engaged by the hirer nor for any damage to or loss of such property howsoever such damage or loss may be occasioned. |
| 10 | Durham County Council will not be held responsible for injury or death to any person(s) arising out of the use of these premises, equipment therein, or grounds pertaining thereto, except in the case of negligence by Bishop Auckland Town Hall. |
Health and Safety |
| 11 | The hirer shall be responsible for compliance with all relevant health and safety measures and provisions concerning their letting, including the safety of all portable electrical equipment and shall advise the Centre Manager of any relevant risk assessments and emergency procedures. |
| 12 | Durham County Council reserves the right to require that the stage curtains, stage lighting and P.A. equipment shall be operated by or under the supervision of a person or persons to be nominated by them. No electrical or other fittings or appliances in the facility must be altered, removed, or in any way interfered with or additional fittings or appliances installed in connection with any function without the approval of the Centre Manager first being obtained. |
General Conditions |
| 13 | No person under 18 years of age will be allowed to attend a licensed disco, except in the case of private family functions, and in such cases the young person must not be allowed in the vicinity of the licensed bar. |
| 14 | Birthday parties for anyone aged 21 years old and under will not be allowed to take place at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. |
| 15 | Durham County Council reserves the right to refuse admission to the premises and to remove any person without stating any reason. |
| 16 | The premises are not to be used for a sale by auction or for any dangerous, noxious, noisy or offensive trade, business, manufacture or occupation or for any illegal or immoral act or purpose. |
| 17 | There is no entry to the building after 9.30pm. |
| 18 | No ticket sales are allowed on the door other than for Town Hall and theatre events |
| 19 | For any live musical performance in the building, the hirer must complete a Performing Rights Society form and return it to the Centre Manager. |
| 20 | Sunday bookings are not accepted. |
