Availability
Q
How do I find out when the venue is available?
A
Tell us your preferred dates and times, and what you want to book the venue for, by emailing kpccoval@gmail.com. Or phone 0800 776 5586 between 11am to 4pm Monday to Saturday – at other times leave a voicemail. We’ll try and get back to you asap – email is quickest.
Q
What spaces are available?
A
There is a Main Hall – perfect for parties and social events – and a smaller meeting room called the Community Room. See here for details. The kitchen is available for all hirers to use. For large parties you may wish to book the whole Centre.
Q
How large are the different spaces and how many people do they each accommodate?
A
See venue hire for room capacities.
Booking
Q
Who can book?
A
You must be over 18. Resident discounts are only available when the hirer lives on Kennington Park Estate and will be present throughout the event. Proof of address may be requested.
Q
How do I book?
A
Once you have checked whether the venue is available, read our Conditions of Hire, and fill in the Hiring Agreement form. This is here.
Q
Can we come and have a look before booking?
A
Of course. We’ll need to fix a mutually convenient time as the venue is not staffed.
Q
Can we make a provisional booking while we think about it?
A
Of course. We will pencil you in. But this does not reserve your slot; it just reminds us that you are interested. We will cancel a provisional booking if we do not hear from you and someone else wants to book that slot. We will let you know that we are cancelling your provisional booking.
Q
Can I book multiple dates?
A
Yes. If you wish to book a series of slots you have the option of becoming one of our regular users. Ask us what that involves.
Q
Do you take late/short notice bookings?
A
Yes, up to 72 hours before your event, depending on availability of the space and of staff to open/close the venue for you.
Payment
Q
How much do you charge?
A
We have different charges for peak and off-peak times, and for different categories of users. Please see here for hiring rates.
Q
How do I pay?
A
Once we have confirmed your booking, we will send you an invoice. The invoice will show you how to pay and by when.
Q
Do you take cash?
A
No.
Q
Do you accept bank transfers (BACS)?
A
Yes please. This is our preferred payment method as it is free whereas PayPal charges us. You may be asked to pay any PayPal charges over £10.
Q
Do you take credit/debit cards?
A
You can pay by card via PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account to do this.
Q
When is a deposit required?
A
A deposit of £100 is required for all social events and private functions. A deposit is also required at the start of a series of bookings by a regular user group.
Q
Are deposits refundable?
A
Yes. We usually refund deposits within 7 days of your event as long as all our Conditions of Hire have been met. This includes keeping to your booked times, complying with all our health and safety conditions and leaving everywhere clean and tidy. Breaches may result in part or all of your deposit being retained.
Q
When do we have to pay the deposit?
A
Within 7 days of receipt of your invoice.
Q
When do we have to pay the balance?
A
At least 14 days before your event (unless a different date is shown on the invoice).
Cancellation
Q
What is your cancellation policy?
A
7 days’ notice please. Otherwise we may retain all or part of your deposit/booking charge.
Facilities
Q
What kitchen facilities are there?
A
A cooker, fridge/freezer, microwaves and hot water urn. There is also crockery etc. Users need to bring their own tea/coffee etc. We do not provide refreshments for meetings, or any catering.
Q
Do you allow cooking inside the venue?
A
There is a cooker which is available for use with advance permission . The cooker must be cleaned after use. There are also two microwaves. Hirers are not allowed to bring any cooking appliances into the venue without permission.
Q
Do you allow external caterers?
A
Yes. But no cooking appliances.
Q
Where can the caterer setup?
A
In the kitchen. Hirers may wish to also book the Community Room for serving food.
Q
Can we bring alcohol?
A
No alcohol is permitted in the venue at any time.
Q
What toilet facilities do you have?
A
Ladies (two cubicles), gents (urinal and one cubicle), and a disabled toilet with nappy changing facilities.
Q
Is your building wheelchair accessible?
A
Yes.
Q
What facilities for disabled users do you have?
A
The Centre is on one level, and all rooms are wheelchair accessible as is the disabled toilet. We are investigating getting a hearing loop and welcome suggestions of other improvements, aids or adaptation we can make.
Q
Do you have tables and chairs for our event?
A
There are about 100 chairs and 20 tables of various sizes.
Q
Who sets up our chairs and tables?
A
You do. And you put them away afterwards.
Q
Can we bring in outside furniture?
A
Within limitation. Check with us first.
Q
Do you have air conditioning and heat?
A
Heating, yes. Air con, no (other than large fans).
Q
Do you have a PA system for iPods or speeches?
A
Yes. Please indicate on your booking form whether you require any a/v equipment to be made available. There may be a small charge. You will be responsible for any damage.
Q
Do you have a projector/TV for slide shows or presentations?
A
Yes. Please indicate on your booking form whether you require any a/v equipment to be made available. There may be a small charge. You will be responsible for any damage.
Q
Can you accommodate hybrid (video and in-person) meetings?
A
Yes. And we are currently upgrading our equipment to a professional standard.
Q
Is there parking?
A
No.
Q
Is there outside space? And do we have access to it?
A
Yes. There an outside courtyard.
Q
Where can guests smoke?
A
In the courtyard.
On the day
Q
How will we get into the venue? Do you give us keys?
A
One of our volunteers or staff will open and close the venue.
Q
Who can I talk to for venue needs on the day of event?
A
Our keyholder will explain how everything works, and will give you a contact number in case of problems
Q
How late can we stay?
A
On Saturdays, all music must be switched off and guests start to leave by 9pm, so that you can clear up and leave by 9.30pm, please.
Q
Is it possible to get a late extension for our event?
A
No. The Centre is in a residential area and our neighbours are entitled not to be disturbed late into the evening.
Q
What time can we access the venue?
A
Normally 10 minutes before your booked time. However, for parties and social events we usually allow a complimentary 30 minutes before and after your booked time for setting up and clearing up.
Q
When does everything and everybody need to be out of the venue?
A
9.30pm on Saturdays. This is non-negotiable. Your deposit may be forfeit if you go beyond your booked time.
Q
Are we required to clean the venue following the event?
A
Yes. You should leave it as you found it. This includes taking all rubbish out to the large bins on the Estate. The large green skips are for mixed recyclable waste.
Q
May I decorate the space?
A
Yes, within limits. Do not use Sellotape or Blutack on the walls (white Blutack is okay) and do not put stuff on the window blinds. Time to decorate needs to be included in the time you book. It must all be removed when you leave.
Q
May I decorate the evening before, and bring food etc. in early?
A
We try to help, but have limited storage facilities and there are other users. Ask!
Q
Can we have a live band?
A
Yes. But all sounds must be kept within reasonable levels so as not to cause annoyance or inconvenience to our neighbours.
Q
Can we have a bouncy castle?
A
Yes, as long as you get written permission in advance. We will want details of the company providing the castle, evidence of adequate public liability insurance and the ability to correctly supervise usage. There is an additional charge of £25 for the erection of inflatables in the Hall; inflatables in the courtyard are not permitted at the moment.
Q
Can we have a BBQ in the Courtyard?
A
Ask! If we agree, then there will be an additional charge of £50.
Q
Do you allow candles?
A
No.
Q
Do you allow confetti or rice?
A
As long as it is all cleared up.
Q Do you allow smoke/paint grenades or similar?
A No.
Health & Safety
Q
Do you comply with all safety requirements?
A
The Centre is fully compliant with all fire and other safety requirements. There is a CCTV system inside and outside the venue.
Q
Do you require DBS checks?
A
Our staff and Trustees all have DBS checks.
Except where the event is private, groups working with children, young people or vulnerable adults are required to demonstrate that they have safeguarding policies and up-to-date DBS checks.
Q
Do we require insurance?
A
Yes (see condition 6.1).