Booking space

• Use of small, shared kitchenette, with serving hatch, fridge, microwave and kettle (no cutlery or crockery is provided).

• Public toilets available including two accessible toilets.

• Furniture available – Chairs and tables.

Cancellation of a booking must be made in writing directly to rivergate@churchatbr.com. The cancellation will be effective from the moment it is received, and cancellation fees may apply according to the length of the notice period given:

• If a hirer cancels a booking between 2 weeks and 1 week prior to the event, then 50% of the full fee is returned. (along with the full deposit)

• If a hirer cancels a booking less than a week prior to the event, then 25% of the full fee is returned. (along with the full deposit)

• If a hirer cancels a booking less than a 24 prior to the event, then 0% of the full fee is returned. (along with the full deposit)

The Rivergate Centre may, in exceptional circumstances, agree to waive these cancellation charges at its discretion.

The Rivergate Centre Management reserves the right to cancel this hiring 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 Rivergate Centre Management reasonably consider that (1) such hiring might lead to a breach of licensing conditions, if applicable, or other legal or statutory requirements, or (2) 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.

Further discretionary discounts are available to hirers who live within Thames Ward and whose activity fits into one or both of the following categories:

• Amenity Discount For sessions open to the public that provide amenity e.g. fitness, leisure, children’s activity etc

• Social Impact Discount For sessions that create a positive social impact. The activity should fit within one of the 9 Community Vision areas of Thames Futures. Speak to the booking manager about what this means.

Maximum Discounts

As standard, we can offer a discount of up to 50% of the Community Rate for all spaces. Please talk to the booking manager if you would like to be considered for a discount.

Cancelling your discounted slot

Please note, for any users that book a discounted slot, our cancellation policy is 48 hours prior to the commencement of the booked slot. Except in exceptional circumstances, two instances of either cancellation inside 48 hours of a discounted booking, or not showing for a booking, will result in no further offers of discounted bookings being made to that user.

Users Code of Conduct

The Rivergate Centre provides a safe and stimulating environment for children, young people, visitors and staff from different groups, including all ages, abilities, cultures and gender.

To ensure a safe and pleasant environment, Barking Riverside Community Development CIC requests that everyone using this facility comply with the code of conduct listed below. Above all, staff and visitors must be treated with respect.

Non-compliance may result in ejection from facilities for an indefinite period of time.

The following activities/behaviours/items are prohibited:

• Acting in an intimidating, disrespectful or disruptive fashion

• Behaviour which may interfere with the enjoyment of the facilities for others

• Verbal threats and insults

• Using your power, strength or authority to intimidate others around you.

• Abusive language.

• Racist, homophobic, sexist language.

• Possession of and taking of drugs, any illegal substances. **

• Fighting and violent behaviour.

• Disrespectful behaviour towards anyone at the centre.

• Deliberate damage to property.

• Misuse of/taking of alcohol. **

• Use of weapons as a form of intimidation to others.

Anyone caught damaging or defacing property will pay ALL repair costs.

** If a person enters the Rivergate Centre and is thought to have taken any illegal substances or excessive amounts of alcohol they will be asked to leave immediately

Please note that the aim of the Code of Conduct is to help ensure that the centre environment is safe, friendly and welcoming to use, and in which users should be able to enjoy and participate in activities provided without fear of negative behaviour from anybody. For your own safety and enjoyment and that of other users within the centre, please observe the following:

• Users should treat centre staff and fellow users with courtesy and respect, recognising that the facilities are used by people from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures

• Bullying, physical, and verbal abuse against staff and general members of the public, and foul and abusive language will not be tolerated. Those found in breach of this will be asked to leave the facility and may lead to action under the disciplinary procedures.

• Fire regulations must be observed. If the fire alarm sounds, vacate the building, and assemble at the appointed place as instructed by centre staff.

Terms and Conditions of Hire

These Terms and Conditions of Hire apply to all hiring’s of the Hall. If the Hirer is in any doubt as to the meaning of the following, a member of the Rivergate Centre should be consulted.

“Premises” shall from hereafter include the hall the outside grounds and Car Park area.

“Hirer” shall mean an individual or where the Hirer is an organisation, the authorised representative.

These conditions prohibit the hire of the hall to anyone under the age of 21 years. An older person making a booking on behalf of someone younger than 21 years old must be aware of the responsibilities for which they will be liable.

A verbal booking (subject to availability) will only be confirmed on receipt of the following by the Booking Manager in advance of the proposed booking:

• A copy of the Agreement to Hire Form being signed and returned together with the deposit payment.

• Once the Hall has been inspected by a member of the Rivergate Centre and it is deemed that no damage has been done to the Premises, the Premises have been left in a clean and tidy condition, and that no further expense will be incurred by the Rivergate Centre in accordance with this booking, a total refund of the Deposit will be returned to the Hirer via a Cheque within 30 days after the booking date.

1. Supervision

The Hirer shall, during the period of the hiring, be responsible for: supervision of the premises, the care of the fabric and the contents; safety from damage however slight or change of any sort and the behaviour of all persons using the premises (the maximum seated capacity in rows shall not exceed 150 People and the maximum seated capacity around tables shall not exceed 100 People); including proper supervision of car parking arrangements so as to avoid obstruction of the highway/ footpaths and cycle lanes.

The Hirer shall pay for all damage (including accidental damage) to the premises or to the fixtures, fittings or contents and for any loss of contents.

The Rivergate Centre Management/Caretaker will hold a complete inventory which can be inspected at any time by the Hirer, of all known damage; this inventory will also include the Contents, fixtures and fittings of the Hall.

2. Use of Premises

The Hirer shall not use the premises for any purpose other than that described in the Agreement to Hire form as signed by the Hirer, and shall not sub-let 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 same or render invalid any insurance policies in respect thereof nor allow the consumption of alcohol thereon without written permission.

Please note that for bookings within the Duo Hall that attract larger gatherings, we will employ a second officer which will be chargeable to the Hirer. In addition, we may instruct parking enforcement to protect resident parking spaces. It is the responsibility of the Hirer to ensure that guests park at the designated Ringo controlled compound situated off Mallards Road. Parking charges will apply. It is with great importance that the Hirer understands that the function is with a residential community setting, and guests should be encouraged to leave the venue quietly upon exit.

3. Indemnity

The Hirer shall indemnify and keep indemnified each member of the Rivergate Centre employees, volunteers, agents and invitees against:

(a) The cost of repair of any damage done to any part of the premises including the structure thereof or the 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 Hirer shall take out adequate insurance to insure the Hirer and members of the Hirer’s organisation and invitees against all claims arising as a result of the hire and on demand shall produce the policy and current receipt or other evidence of cover, to the Bookings Manager.

Failure to produce such policy and evidence of cover will render the hiring void and enable the Hall Bookings Manager to re-hire the premises to another hirer. However, the Hirer may accept all the responsibility of the risks as an alternative to taking out suitable insurance by signing the relevant section within the Agreement to Hire form, or by checking that you have read the terms and conditions within the booking platform Skedda.

(The Rivergate Centre is insured against any claims arising out of its own negligence)

4. Stored Equipment

The Rivergate Centre 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 stored equipment) must be removed at the end of each hiring or fees will be charged for each day or part of a day at the hire fee per hiring until the same is removed unless an agreement was mad prior with the Rivergate Centre Management.

The Rivergate Centre Committee may, in its discretion, in either of the following circumstances:

(a) in respect of stored equipment, failure by the Hirer either to pay any storage charges due, remove the same within 1 day after the agreed storage period has ended.

(b) in respect of any other property brought onto the premises for the purposes of the hiring, failure by the Hirer to remove the same within 1 day after the hiring; dispose of any such items by sale or otherwise on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit, and charge the Hirer any costs incurred in storing and selling or otherwise disposing of the same.

5. 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 written approval of the Bookings Manager. Any alteration, fixture or fitting or attachment so approved shall at the discretion of the Rivergate Centre Management remain in the premises at the end of the hiring and become the property of the Village Hall or be removed by the Hirer who must make good to the satisfaction of the Management any damage caused to the premises by such removal.

6. Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences

The Hirer must report all accidents involving injury to the public to a member of the Rivergate Centre Management as soon as possible. Certain types of accident or injury must be reported on a special form to the local authority. The Bookings Manager will give assistance in completing this form. This is in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, (RIDDOR).

Any failure of equipment belonging to the Rivergate Centre must also be reported as soon as possible.

7. Licences

The Hall does not have an alcohol Licence. Therefore, the Hirer shall be responsible for obtaining such Licences as may be needed whether for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor, in respect of consumption on the premises.

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.

9. Permission to Film and/or Broadcast

The hirer shall not film or broadcast at any time in any part of Rivergate Centre without the prior permission of the Rivergate Centre Management. For weddings, the designated areas for filming and photography are the halls and the entry and exit points. No other part of the building can be used.

10. Signage

No signs, posters, banners or similar shall be attached to any wall or other part of the Rivergate Centre without the approval of the building Management. Where permission has been granted for placing signage, it should be fixed in the manner allowed by the Rivergate Centre building management, and removed at the end of the booking.

11. Health and Hygiene

The Hirer shall, if preparing, serving or selling Food, observe all relevant Food Health and Hygiene Legislation and Regulations.

12. 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. The Rivergate Centre Management reserves the right to examine the required Certification issued by a competent Person or Company in respect to the testing of any such electrical appliances or equipment.

13. Public Safety Compliance

The Hirer shall comply with all conditions and regulations made in respect of the premises by the Fire Authority, Local Authority, and the Local Magistrate’s Court or otherwise, particularly in connection with any event which includes public dancing or music or other similar public entertainment.

A fire-risk assessment for the known hazards has been carried out. The introduction of a new fire risk by the Hirer either as a source of ignition e.g. Lighting of Candles, or as new flammable materials e.g. solvents, paper hangings must be accompanied by a risk assessment carried out by the Hirer.

14. 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. (The Hirer will be expected to have themselves aware of the liabilities stated in the above legislation).

15. Compliance with the Health Act 2006 Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places

The Hirer shall, and shall ensure that the Hirer’s invitees comply with the prohibition of smoking in public places provisions of the Health Act 2006 and regulations made thereunder. Any person who breaches this provision shall be asked to leave the premises. (The Hirer will be expected to have themselves aware of the liabilities stated in the above legislation).

16. Animals

The Hirer shall ensure that no animals (including birds) except guide dogs are brought into the premises, other than for a special event agreed to by the Rivergate Centre Management. No animals whatsoever are to enter the Kitchen at any time.

17. 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 the organisers name and address and any discounts offered are based only on Manufacturers’ Recommended Retail Prices. (The Hirer will be expected to have themselves aware of the liabilities stated in the above legislation).

18. Noise

The Hirer shall ensure that the minimum level of noise is made on arrival, during the Hire period and departure, particularly late at night and early in the morning. On departure all persons in attendance of the event must leave the Premises within a timely fashion. Once noise limiting equipment has been installed in the Hall the Hirer will be required to agree to use only the appropriate electrical outlet sockets for electrically powered musical instruments. Independent noise monitors installed in the building will record actual noise levels. If these indicate that pre-set noise levels have been exceeded by the use of un-authorised power sockets the full amount of any deposit will be retained by the Rivergate Centre.

19. The Right to Enter

Any persons of the Rivergate Centre has the right to enter the Hall at any time other than during events falling under the provisions of the Children Act 1989.

20. End of Hire Period

The Hirer shall be responsible for leaving the premises and surrounding area in a clean and tidy condition, as well as ensuring guests leave the venue quietly. The premises being properly locked and secured unless directed otherwise and any contents temporarily removed from their usual positions properly replaced, otherwise the Rivergate Centre shall be at liberty to make an additional charge.

21. Cancellation

Cancellation of a booking must be made in writing directly to RivergateCentre@tandem-property.com. The cancellation will be effective from the moment it is received, and cancellation fees may apply according to the length of the notice period given:

If a hirer cancels a booking between 2 weeks and 1 week prior to the event, then 50% of the full fee is returned. (along with the full deposit)

If a hirer cancels a booking less than a week prior to the event, then 25% of the full fee is returned. (along with the full deposit)

If a hirer cancels a booking less than a 24 prior to the event, then 0% of the full fee is returned. (along with the full deposit)

The Rivergate Centre may, in exceptional circumstances, agree to waive these cancellation charges at its discretion.

The Rivergate Centre Management reserves the right to cancel this hiring 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 Rivergate Centre Management reasonably consider that (1) such hiring might lead to a breach of licensing conditions, if applicable, or other legal or statutory requirements, or (2) 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.

22. No Rights

The Agreement to hire constitutes permission only to use the premises and confers no tenancy or other right of occupation on the Hirer.

23. Deposit

A deposit of £250 will be taken for up to 150 people. Deposits are returned, within 28 working days after your event. However, if there is seen to be any nuisance or anti-social behaviour, the deposit will not be surrendered.