Terms & Conditions

TERMS & CONDITIONS - GENERAL LETS

Please read carefully before booking The Merse - click on the links to read the full policy document.

Minimum Payment for the use of The Merse will be on the following basis:

Main Hall

Youth/Community/Charity Events £10 per hour (Capped at £75 per day)
Profit-making/privately run groups £15 per hour (Capped at £90 per day)
20% discount for bookings of one week or more

Lesser Hall

Youth/Community/Charity Events £6 per hour (Capped at £45 per day)
Profit-making/privately run groups £10 per hour (Caped at £60 per day)
20% discount for bookings of one week or more.

Combined – Whole building

Youth/Community/Charity Events £15 per hour (Capped at £90 per day)
Profit-making/privately run groups £20 per hour (Capped at £120 per day)
20% discount for bookings of one week or more.

Safeguarding: It is the job of everyone to protect our children and vulnerable adults. W&BCI’s Safeguarding Policy Statement is displayed in the main and small halls, the details of which are carefully implemented. It is essential that your group, if it is made up of children or vulnerable adults, has a carefully worked and implemented Safeguarding policy. If you require advice, please contact the Safeguarding Co-ordinator: Gillian Hamnett info@themerse.com

Smoke-Free Policy: Please read carefully the linked document and ensure that your group complies with this legislation for the duration of your occupancy of the premises and their grounds (this includes smoking and vape). Failure to implement this policy in full will result in a possible fine and an automatic withdrawal of your let.

Fire Safety Procedures: Please read carefully the linked document and ensure that your group complies with these procedures for the duration of your occupancy of the premises.

Indemnity: The event organiser will be responsible for any loss, damage or claim made resulting from this let. The event organiser should check whether their group has appropriate insurance cover and, if not, should make the necessary arrangements. Under certain conditions W&BCI may consent to allow a let to an “uninsured” group. Before doing so, however, we will carefully assess the risks involved and may also wish to consult the our Insurance Company for further advice.

Accident/Illness: A first aid kit is placed in the main hall. It is the let user’s responsibility to complete an accident/incident record (this is available in venue) and, if appropriate or of a serious nature, to report also to the W&BCI. (Details of the date, nature of the incident and steps taken, including a statement of any First Aid items used will be required)

Cancellation:

Cancellation: Please note that if your event is cancelled for any reason, it is essential that you notify The Merse, 48 hours prior to the start of your booking. If you cancel your booking within 48 hours you will be charged 50% of the full booking fee.

Cancellation of full day or block bookings must be received by The Merse with 5 working days notice. Cancellation within 5 working days will incur a charge of 50% of the full booking fee.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LET: The online booking form should be completed at least two weeks prior to your event. The premises should be left in the same condition that it was let. The W&BCI operates a 'smoke-free policy' in all its premises and in the areas out-with the building. If heating is required, then the heating time clock will be set for the let and should not be touched. If there is a problem, please contact your booking contact. .All our electrical equipment is regularly tested. Any portable equipment brought into our building for your personal use should be electrically safe (preferably PAT checked). Any decorations, banners, bunting etc should be put up and removed without damaging walls and paintwork. INDEMNITY: The event organiser will be responsible for any loss, damage or claim made resulting from this let. The event organiser should check whether they have insurance cover, e.g. under their personal home insurance. If not, it is recommended that they arrange 'one-off' cover.

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Visitors: It is the let organiser’s responsibility to supervise and control all persons present within the Premises and their exit and entry to and from the Premises, and ensure the provision of an adequate number of attendants or supervisors to ensure compliance with these Terms and Conditions, the safety of all persons present in the Premises and the immediately surrounding area and the preservation of order therein during the Time of Use. Visitors or third parties not under the auspices of the User should not be on the premises. The let organiser should not permit any dogs (with the exception of guide dogs) or other animals to enter any part of the Premises during the Time of Use unless with the permission of W&BCI.

Care of The Merse: We would request that users:

a) take precautions to prevent any damage to any part of the Premises and to make good any damage caused to the Premises or surrounding property through their use of the Premises

b) report any accidental damage as soon as possible after the event

c) do not display any advertisements, posters, signs etc without the prior written consent of The Merse team.

Heating: Every effort will be made to meet the needs of groups so that the building is at a suitable temperature. If, at any time, you find the hall too hot for your purposes, or if the heating has not come on, then the only button on the time clock you are permitted to touch is the one identified with the word ADVANCE. It is essential that, under no circumstances, should you or any member of your group interfere, in any other way, with the time clock which regulates the heating. If there is a problem, advise your booking contact. If your group, by virtue of its activities or users, requires heating over the winter months, which is beyond what is provided, it will be necessary to impose an additional charge to cover this extra cost. In such circumstances, please discuss this with W&BCI.

Small electrical equipment: All our electrical equipment is regularly tested. Any portable equipment brought into our building for your personal use should be electrically safe (preferably PAT checked).

Cleanliness: The Merse is currently cleaned once a week. It is therefore a condition of let that all hall users tidy up when they have finished their session and leave the hall in a presentable condition. As a community venue we rely on the shared care and responsibility of the building so please leave everything as you would wish to find it. Any furniture or equipment that is moved must be returned to its original position.

Thank you