Question 1

How much is function/party hire?

Accepted Answer

Hire depends on when you're wanting to book and for how long.
 
You can browse our hire packages here: https://www.villagehallstanton.com/book
 
(For regular/weekly hire see the Regular Hire FAQ section)

Why not book the hall for a day with our 7 hour package:

7-hour daytime party hire
https://www.wix.app/bookings/9cd5f74d-46bd-4576-b7c1-ac53cdff190c/service/3539298f-e7c4-4da9-becb-729bad408c11/details?d=https://www.villagehallstanton.com/service-page/7-hour-daytime-party-hire

Question 2

How do I book party hire?

Accepted Answer

Since we're volunteer run and managed we're trying to let technology do the hard work. You can book using our online system which will let you find a package right for you, find a time and pay online. 
 
Head to https://www.villagehallstanton.com/new-bookings to get started.

If your date isn't offered then it's most likely that it's already booked.

Question 3

What time can evening functions finish?

Accepted Answer

This may depend on the terms of your Temporary Events Notice. There is more about what a temporary events notice means and why it is needed here: https://www.villagehallstanton.com/post/licensable-activity (https://www.villagehallstanton.com/post/licensable-activity)

However, in any case, noise should stop at 11pm with guests leaving by 11.30pm. We are set in a residential area and respect our neighbours.

Remember  - it's important you clean fully or your damages deposit is at risk. It may be possible to book time the morning after your booking to finish cleaning and tidying.

Question 4

What if I need or want to cancel?

Accepted Answer

Our cancellation policy is found in our terms and states: 
 
Cancellations more than 30 days in advance: Full refund of hire fee and deposit less a £5 service charge. Or you can reschedule to another date at no cost.
Cancellations 15-30 days in advance: 75% hire fee and full deposit returned.
Cancellations 2-14 days in advance: 50% hire fee and full deposit returned.
Cancellations less than 2 days in advance: 0% hire fee refunded and full deposit returned.
 
In short, you'll have your damages deposit returned. Your hire fee will be lost in whole or part depending how soon before the event you cancel.

Question 5

Tell me more about the damages deposit?

Accepted Answer

There's more in our terms and conditions so make sure you check those. 
 
The odd broken teacup isn't going to lose you your deposit but we have had instances where tables have been stolen and doors and walls have been badly damaged (even punched!). We're a charity run mostly by volunteers and this is obviously simply not on. 
 
After you're done with your hire session, we'll inspect the buildings and grounds to make sure it's clean tidy and there's no damage. As long as everything is ok, we'll then process your refund within 48 hours by the method it was paid. 
 
If there is any significant damage then we'll assess the extent of this and we may need to get quotes to put things right - this might exceed your damages deposit and we will invoice you for the cost of putting right. If we believe it to be criminal damage then we will not hesitate to involve the Police. Remember, the lead hirer is responsible for all attendees.

Question 6

How can I pay for hire?

Accepted Answer

Our online booking system takes payment via credit/debit card (Stripe processes this) or PayPal.
 
PayPal allows payment by Paypal account holders as well as guests (via debit/credit card). Unfortunately, we do not handle cash.

Question 7

Why do evenings cost more?

Accepted Answer

Evenings tend to be a little more risky for us - louder and often with alcohol involved. We've certainly suffered more abuse and damage from evening events! 
 
We find the smell of alcohol lingers for instance and we need to air the hall the next morning meaning we can't book a daytime party in first thing the morning after.
 
Also, we're asking more of our helpers with such parties. 
 
If you're booking an evening event and alcohol and loud music won't be involved then please contact us to explore a discount.

Question 8

How do I get keys?

Accepted Answer

For daytime functions we open and lock up for you at the start and end times booked.

If you have booked with Abi's Entertainments then they will open and lock up for you. 
 
In the case of weekend long hire and evening where you'll clean the next day we'll leave you with a keyset.

Question 9

Do I have to clean up afterwards?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is absolutely essential. We run Stanton Village Hall on a 'leave it as you found it basis'.
 
As a minimum, we'd expect you to have wiped all surfaces, spot cleaned any spills anywhere, swept up all debris, checked toilets are flushed and there's no litter/rubbish/other mess left, put chairs and tables away, and checked the car park for any rubbish your hirers may have left (plastic cups, balloons etc).

Question 10

Can I leave rubbish?

Accepted Answer

Function hirers: You're welcome to leave one normal black bin bag's worth of rubbish in our outside bin but all other rubbish should be taken away with you. You can also sort and place clean recyclable plastics or glass into our green recycling bin.

£5 per additional bag will be taken from your damages deposit if additional bags are left. Help us by letting us know if you intend to leave more.

Unfortunately, we've had to add this bag penalty as some hirers have used our entire fortnightly rubbish capacity in one party!!!

All hirers: You must leave the Hall clean and tidy and just as you found it.

Question 11

Can I use tape and blu-tac?

Accepted Answer

Unlike some halls we do allow this but strictly NOT on our external doors or wall paint (the emulsion) as our paint does peel with them (which could risk your damages deposit). We also ask that you clean any sticky residue so we're not left with marks. 
 
We're keeping this under review as want to keep the hall nice. We're also looking at placing more hanging hooks for bunting and string hung decorations.
 
There are ceiling hooks but they require a ladder and safe use of the ladders.

Question 12

Fire and First Aid

Accepted Answer

There are manual fire bells in the foyer and main hall. 
Fire exits include the front entrance door and the double emergency doors in the Main Hall. 
There are fire extinguishers in the cafe area, the kitchen, by the double emergency doors and in the foyer. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen next to the door. 
 
There is a medium sized first aid kit in the bottom drawer next to the cooker. You must notify the Bookings Secretary if items are used so these can be replenished. The defibrillator outside can only be deployed by the ambulance service - they will provide you with a code if they believe it is needed. 
 
The height barrier is removable for emergency crews to enter the car park and more details of how to open the barrier will be given at the start of your hire. 
 
In case of an emergency, assemble at the farthest point in the car park near to the pedestrian exit in the direction of the school.

Question 13

Will a bouncy castle fit in the Hall?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A small castle will fit.
 
Abi's Entertainments are aware of the best size and if you use them we'll provide a £5 discount off your hire. We offer this since Abi's are trusted keyholders and help us to open and close the hall for you. You can claim this discount by using code ' USINGABIS ' on the bookings checkout (can't be redeemed with other offers). This code MUST NOT be used if you do not use Abi's as there'll be no other arrangements made for the hall to be opened up when this code is activated for your booking. 
 
https://www.abis-entertainments.co.uk
 
(If you go on not to use Abi's then you must let us know with more than 3 weeks notice so we can arrange alternative access to the hall for you. We'll also retain £5 of your deposit to cover the discount no longer being valid to the booking  (if your deposit is being returned in line with our terms and conditions).

Question 14

Why don't you allow 16th - 21st parties?

Accepted Answer

We're not alone and many Halls don't.
 
We've had far too many bad experiences than good unfortunately. We'd love for this not to be the case but it is.

Question 15

Is there a baby change?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is fold down baby changing unit in the disable bathroom.

Question 16

Do you have a bar?

Accepted Answer

No we don't. There used to be one but it just wasn't getting used and so we've created an additional seating area that can be enjoyed by all. 
 
There are so many innovative pop up bar offerings now you might want to explore. Where alcohol will be sold the seller must have a personal license and you'll need a Temporary Events Notice for your event. 
 
https://www.villagehallstanton.com/post/licensable-activity

Music must stop by 11pm to respect our neighbours.

Question 17

Can I bring alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Bring your own is fine.

If you intend to sell alcohol then you will need to gain a Temporary Events Notice for your event and ensure all licensing rules are adhered to.

We recently wrote more about this here: https://www.villagehallstanton.com/post/licensable-activity

Question 18

Do you accept parties mid-week?

Accepted Answer

We're incredibly busy with fitness, wellbeing, arts and sports classes during the week. It's unlikely there'll be space but please do contact us bookings@villagehallstanton.com to enquire.
 
We don't run our online booking system to cover mid-week bookings and we may have to think about whether there are any volunteers free (they have day jobs) to manage your access.

Question 19

Do you let dogs inside the Hall?

Accepted Answer

We try to be family friendly and so we do allow well-behaved dogs in the hall - but please act like you would in a dog-friendly cafe or restaurant.
 
We insist you provide your own additional cleaning equipment for any accidents and that these are cleaned properly and any damage is reported. The lead hirer is responsible for everyones safety and this should be considered.

Question 20

How much is car-parking?

Accepted Answer

Whilst you're using the Hall it's free. 
 
Non-hall users must check for parking terms and fees. Parking is for hall users only on weekends.

Question 21

Can I view the Hall?

Accepted Answer

We can accommodate a viewing at a cost of £7.50 to cover the cost of a paid helper to attend. Unfortunately, we're no longer able to run this at no cost due to increasing demand on our volunteers to attend several viewings each week.

Alternatively, check our website to see whether various videos and photos help. 
 
To book: Email bookings@villagehallstanton.com 
 
Or why not support one of our classes held at the hall by attending a session and having a nosey ;) https://www.villagehallstanton.com/calendar (https://www.villagehallstanton.com/calendar)

Question 22

Do your prices stay the same each year?

Accepted Answer

We do review our prices regularly (as well as each August/September) taking into account the cost of running the Hall over previous years. If you've already booked then your price is locked in and won't rise. 
 
We did have a major price rise in 2019 and 2021 after prices had been held for many years. This took into account that the hall was costing us more per hour to run than we were making per hour. We've also tried hard to reduce costs by putting in more volunteer effort and shifting to more LED lighting and more efficient heating.

Question 23

I've left something behind what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Don't worry we'll try and put this aside for you to collect. 
 
Please don't ring us at 2am like some people have done though! 
 
Email us at bookings@villagehallstanton.com to arrange.

Question 24

Your online system is mentioning more hours than I'm booking for, why?"

Accepted Answer

Don't worry. Our system is a computer and it needs to calculate how long to block the hall for.
 
Take an evening hire for instance - whilst your party might only take up 5 hours on the evening we've your morning cleanup time to think about so the system thinks your session lasts all night to stop someone else booking first thing in the morning (you're unfortunately not allowed to party all night because of licensing rules!)

Question 25

Can we sleepover in the hall?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately not. Our building isn't setup for this with aspects such as required fire detection not in place.

Question 26

Is there tea and coffee provided?

Accepted Answer

Please bring your own milk, tea and coffee etc.
 
We also have a Tassimo machine so feel free to bring your own coffee pods. 
 
We do have some teabags and instant coffee available with a recommended 30p per cup into our honesty jar.

Common Questions

Sign up to News and Offers

Contact Us

Weekend Services

Services for Business

The Charity