Terms and Conditions

A guide to the "small print"

Venue Hire

Customers will be asked to sign our conditions of hire. This page sets out the terms and conditions. However the terms may be customised for individual clients on occasions therefore this page should be taken as a guide only. The conditions for your event are those that are sent to you and you should read them carefully.

Events in the museum galleries

1. The accommodation being hired comprises all the public areas of the museum (except the shop, the boat cabin, and the horse power exhibition) [ Sometimes included: plus use of the conference room and kitchen.] Access is not permitted to any other part of the building. There is no access before the start time above without prior arrangement.
2. The event is a private event for invited guests only and is not an event that is intended to raise funds or make a profit for the organiser. [This condition will not be included for fund-raisng events that have been discussed with in advance]
3. The charge for the hire of the museum is £xxxx excluding VAT, storage outside the hire times, refreshments and equipment hire or other services for which a separate charge has been quoted. A non-refundable deposit of £xxx is payable on booking. The balance is payable ......[Private clients must pay in full before the start of the event. Established businesses and organisations are usually offered credit terms]
4. The cost of repairing any damage to the building or its contents or other property resulting from the hire shall be the full responsibility of the hirer who agrees to reimburse the Trust for its expenditure on such repairs, or to pay reasonable compensation if the damage cannot be repaired.
5. In the event that special cleaning is required over and beyond the normal cleaning to be expected following an event of the type for which the museum is hired, the hirer agrees to reimburse the Trust for its expenditure on that special cleaning. (For example, soiling of an exhibit, carpet, or the fabric of the building)
6. The hirer is responsible for ensuring that only invitees to his or her event are admitted, and for the consequences of any breach of security. The front door must either be left secure or be attended by a responsible person at all times.
7. Access to the canalside area is only permitted before 2200 and guests must not pass south of the museum's exterior wall. No furniture may be placed outside the building, except for use by a disabled person.
8. The maximum number of persons shall not exceed 200 (number)
9. The premises shall be vacated by XXXX (time). [generally half an hour after the finishing time] The hirer will by this time remove from the premises all property that has been brought into the building for the event, (including by caterers and other third parties) unless prior agreement has been reached for storage. Additional charges will be made for storage outside the times of hire and if extra clearing-up time is required. Items to be stored overnight will be placed as requested by the Trust's representative so as not to impede the cleaning and preparation of the museum for opening. The museum's tables and other furniture will be left clear of all bottles, glasses, cloths, waste etc. If any property is left behind without prior agreement (other than small items of lost property) the extra charge will be a minimum of £30 plus VAT, if tables etc are left uncleared an additional charge of £5 plus VAT per table etc will be payable, and if significant brought-in property is left situated in the galleries without prior agreement a minimum charge of £25 plus VAT will be payable for moving it to a storage location. [This condition will be modified if we are providing a clearing-up, putting-away service]
10. No alcohol shall be sold on the premises unless the hirer, or a third party approved by the Trust, has with the Trust's prior permission and in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 issued a Temporary Event Notice to the London Borough of Islington and the Metropolitan Police. A copy of any such notice and the acknowledgement must be supplied to the Trust in advance.
11. Hirers must make their own catering arrangements. The museum has limited facilities for food preparation. The hirer, or his/her caterer is responsible for ensuring full compliance with all food hygiene legislation.

Music events

[those with disco or live band or similar]

12. The level of noise audible outside must be limited to protect local residents from disturbance and all amplifiers (except small portable music players) must be connected through the museum's noise limiting system, which may disconnect the equipment. Windows and external doors must be kept closed when loud music is being played. The hirer and any musician, performer, or disc jockey who is involved in the event will comply with any noise reduction requests from the museum's duty manager. These requirements must be brought to the attention of any such musician, performer, or disc jockey. Live music is only permitted by prior written agreement and may be subject to additional conditions.
13. Additional conditions apply if the finishing time is later than 2300. These must be accepted by the client by signature and form part of these conditions in the case of events ending after 2300.

Non-music events

[background music is allowed]

12. Background level music and amplified speech is acceptable inside the building provided that it cannot be heard outside the building. No other music or noise is permitted. Windows and doors must be kept closed when necessary to ensure that noise cannot be heard by the museum's neighbours. Live background music is permitted subject to the Trust's prior written approval. Disk Jockeys are not permitted.

All Events

14. A smoke generator may only be used with the permission of the museum's duty manager. If smoke-generating equipment is used without permission, the hirer will be responsible for reimbursing the Trust any charges made by the fire brigade for attending a false alarm. All fireworks are prohibited.
15. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building, by law.
16. In the event of illegal smoking or a breach of these conditions causing damage, nuisance to neighbours, or reasonable grounds for fearing such damage or nuisance, the Trust or its representative reserve the right:
    • To require the offending party (Guest, musician, disk jockey or other person) to leave the premises
    • If the offending party refuses to leave, to terminate the function (the full hire charge will still be payable)
    • To disconnect electricity supplies to noise producing equipment.
    • To cancel any further bookings which have been made.

Events ending later than 2300

[After 2300 we must be especially careful to ensure that our neighbours are not disturbed. The additional conditions enable customers and their guests to enjoy the event to the end without causing disturbance to local residents.]

1. The use of microphones is not permitted after 2300.
2. Recorded music may be played from 2300 until the end of the event at a moderate volume. The museum's noise limiter will be set to a lower, late-night setting. [Live instrumental performances at a low volume may be possible after 2300, in which case this condition may be modified]
3. After 2300 no re-admission to the premises is permitted and guests must not go outside the building for any reason other than to leave the event or in emergency. There is no indoor or outdoor location for smoking after 2300 and guests must either refrain from smoking or leave for the evening after this time. Guests must not use New Wharf Road as a waiting area for taxis or other transport; they may use the museum's telephone to call a cab or minicab and should wait indoors. An exception will be made to this condition where a vehicle has to be loaded or for assistance to a disabled person.
4. If guests break condition 3 above, and go outside the building (other than to leave for the night) the museum's duty manager may end the event earlier than planned, in which case no refund of charges will be due.

Events in the Small Meeting Room

1. The accommodation being hired comprises the museum's conference and education room on the first floor of the building. Access to the premises is not available before start time above without prior arrangement.
2. The charge for the hire of the room is £XX excluding VAT, storage outside the hire period, equipment hire or other services for which a separate charge has been quoted. A deposit of £XX [£30 for many bookings] is payable on booking. The invoice following the event is payable within 14 days. [Private clients must settle their final invoice before the start of the event] No refund of deposit is payable if the hire is cancelled by the customer.
3. The cost of repairing any damage to the building or its contents or other property resulting from the hire shall be the full responsibility of the hirer who agrees to reimburse the Trust for its expenditure on such repairs, or to pay reasonable compensation if the damage cannot be repaired.
4. In the event that special cleaning is required over and beyond the normal cleaning to be expected following an event of the type for which the museum is hired, the hirer agrees to reimburse the Trust for its expenditure on that special cleaning. (For example, soiling of an exhibit, carpet, or the fabric of the building could result in a need for special cleaning.)
5. The hirer will be held responsible for the consequences of any breaches of security arising from the event resulting in loss or damage to the Museum, its staff, visitors, or neighbours.
6. The maximum number of persons shall not exceed twenty.
7. The premises shall be vacated by 1630 (time). The hirer will by this time remove from the premises all property that has been brought into the building for the event, (including by caterers, and other third parties) unless prior agreement has been reached for storage. An extra charge will be made for storage outside the times of hire.
8. Hirers must make their own arrangements for any catering required. The museum has limited facilities for the preparation of food. The hirer, or the person or organisation which carries out catering on behalf of the hirer, is responsible for ensuring full compliance with all food hygiene and temperature control legislation.
9. No music or noise, which may be audible outside the building, is permitted. Windows and doors must be kept closed when necessary to ensure that the museum's neighbours cannot hear noise.
10. In the event of a breach of these conditions causing damage, nuisance to neighbours , or reasonable grounds for fearing such damage or nuisance, the Trust or its representative reserve the right:
    • To require the offending party (Guest or other person) to leave the premises
    • If the nuisance cannot be controlled at an acceptable level, or the offending party refuses to leave, to terminate the function (in which case the full hire charge will still be payable)
    • To disconnect electricity supplies to noise producing equipment.
    • To cancel any further bookings which have been made.

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Key Points

• Payment is in advance but not long in advance for private clients. Business clients are usually offered credit terms
• The outside area can only be used before 2200
• We do all the normal cleaning but you are responsible for the cost if there is damage or exceptional soiling caused by the behaviour of your guests or yourself.
• Alcohol cannot be sold without the necessary legal process. (it can be given away as a free gift)
• You need our written agreement to a live music performance, so get this before you book a band
• The museum uses a sound limiter to control noise levels
• After 2300 the volume of a disco etc has to be reduced to a lower level, microphones are not to be used, and everyone must stay inside the building all the time other than to leave for the night. There is no re-entry after 2300.
• There is nowhere to smoke after 2300, smokers must either refrain from smoking or leave for the night after 2300
• The conditions on this page are an example and for guidance - clients should carefully read the actual conditions that are sent to them before signing.