Conditions of Hire of Facilities at Belfast Castle

Interpretation Hire Charges Hirer’s Obligations 1.1 These conditions of Hire shall be 3.1 The Hirer shall pay to the council The hirer agrees: read and construed in accordance the appropriate hire charge(s) 4.1 That the facilities will only be used with the Application for hire ruling at the date of the relevant for the relevant event and for no to which these conditions are event as follows: other purpose; annexed. 3.1.1 A non-refundable and non 4.2 That the relevant event will 1.2 In these conditions: transferable deposit of 50% shall be conducted in a safe and ‘the application’ means the Hirer’s be payable upon confirmation of responsible manner and in application for the hire of the the booking. accordance with all relevant health facilities. 3.1.2 The balance of the hire charges and safety and fire regulations and ‘the booking’ means the booking will be payable at least 30 days requirements; made on foot of the application. prior to the holding of the relevant 4.3 The Hirer will have sole ‘the council’ means Belfast City event where the relevant event is responsibility for the Council. a wedding or social function, or administration and organisation of ‘the General Manager’ means the if the company is based outside the relevant event, subject to the council’s Manager of Belfast Castle Northern Ireland.- council’s overall administration of and includes any person 3.2 Any ancillary charges will be the Building; acting under his authority. invoiced by the council after the 4.4 That all instructions given by the ‘the facilities’ means those parts relevant event and will be paid by General Manager with regard to of the Building the subject of the the Hirer within 30 days of the date the use of the facilities and the application. of the invoice. organisation of the relevant event ‘the Hirer’ means the person(s) 3.3 Interest shall be payable on any are strictly complied with; identified as such in the overdue charges at the rate of 4.5 That the facilities will be vacated application. 5% p.a. over base lending rate immediately at the end of the ‘the Building’ means Belfast of Barclays Bank or such other hire period and that all property Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 rate or bank that the council may of persons attending the relevant 5GR reasonably specify. event shall be removed; ‘the relevant event’ means the 3.4 The Hirer accepts that the rates of 4.6 That all food and beverage wedding, function, exhibition, hire payable are those applicable consumed in the building must conference or other event(s) the at the date of the relevant event be purchased from the catering subject of the application. and acknowledges that prices are franchisee appointed by the increased on 1 April each year. The Council at any time; Hire of Facilites prices stated on the application 4.7 That the council accepts no 2.1 The council permits the Hirer to are estimated only and may be responsibility for the prices, have use of the facilities for the more at the date of the relevant standards or service of the food period, and during the hours, event. and beverage provided by the specified in the application for the 3.5 Where the Hirer cancels a booking, catering franchisee and the Hirer purpose of the relevant event. the council reserves the right to agrees to settle all accounts for 2.2 Notwithstanding the permission invoice for the full room hire charge food and beverages and other granted in Clause 2.1, the Council expected for the event. catering agreements directly with reserves the right, exercisable 3.6 Failure to pay the hire charge(s) the catering franchisee; at its entire discretion to refuse within the time specified in Clause 4.8 To comply in all respects with admission to the facilities to any 3.1 shall constitute a fundamental all relevant health and safety particular person or persons in the breach of these conditions, legislation and fire regulations, interests of security and/or good entitling the council, acting at its and without prejudice to the management of the Building. entire discretion, to cancel the foregoing to comply with any 2.3 The hire of facilities shall be for a booking forthwith without notice. limitation as to the number of minimum of two hours. 3.7 Any postponement of a relevant people allowed in a room by any event shall be treated as a entertainment’s license; cancellation. 4.9 Belfast City Council operates a strict no smoking policy in all of its buildings therefore smoking is totally prohibited in all areas within Belfast Castle. 4.10 That no nails will be driven into the Indemnity and Insurance General walls or woodwork of any part of 6.1 The Hirer shall be responsible 8.1 The staff of the council shall be the Building and all attachments for and keep the council fully entitled to access all parts of and decorations are subject to the indemnified against all damage the Building for the purpose of prior approval of the Manager; (including damage to the Building inspection, management and 4.11 No confetti is permitted to be used and the facilities), damages, supervision. either inside or outside Belfast losses, costs, expenses, actions, 8.2 The permission hereby granted Castle at any time. demands, claims and liabilities is not transferable by the Hirer, 4.12 No fireworks are permitted at made against or incurred by the unless with the written consent Belfast Castle or in the grounds council (save to the extent that of the General Manager, who shall of Belfast Castle under any the same should arise from any have entire discretion. circumstances. negligent act or omission of the 8.3 The council reserves the right to 4.13 That all personal belongings from council) arising out of: change the room(s) hired by the the bridal party be removed from 6.1.1 any act, omission or negligence of Hirer but this will only be done for Belfast Castle at the end of the the Hirer or any person or persons valid reasons. evening. Any property not so at the Building expressly or 8.4 The council reserve the right to removed shall be left at the Hirer’s implicitly with the Hirer’s authority employ extra security staff if in risk, and for the avoidance of doubt or consent; the council’s reasonable opinion it clause 5.1 shall apply to such or feels it is necessary for the event. property. 6.1.2 any breach by the Hirer of these This will be decided after carrying 4.14 That the council may erect conditions. out a risk assessment and in these advertising in any area of the circumstances, the cost will be Building and keep same up during Termination borne by the hirer. the relevant event. 7.1 In the event of any breach or non- 8.5 The council reserves the right to 4.15 That Wedding Ceremony only observance of these conditions hire other rooms in the Building at will take place at 12 noon and will by the Hirer, or by any person the time of the relevant event. vacate the premises/grounds by involved in the organisation of the 8.6 The courts of Northern Ireland shall 1.30pm. relevant event, then the council have exclusive jurisdiction for the 4.16 That Wedding Receptions (and may revoke with immediate effect purpose of any legal proceedings ceremony) will only arrive on the the permission to use, or to have arising from the contact premises at 12noon, 3pm or 6pm. continued use of, the facilities. constituted from the council’s 7.2 Notwithstanding any acceptance acceptance of the application. of the application, the council 8.7 For all social events (to include, Liability for damage reserves the right at its discretion, wedding receptions, parties, 5.1 The council accepts no but for reasonable cause, to cancel funerals etc), payment will only responsibility for any theft, loss the booking at any time, provided be accepted by either debit or or damage to any property of the that as much notice therof as credit card(no pre paid cards will Hirer or any of their guests. reasonably possible shall be given be accepted). We are no longer 5.2 The Hirer will be responsible for all to the Hirer and that all charges able to accept cash, cheques or damage caused to the Building paid are refunded. The council will bankers drafts. and will indemnify the council not be liable in such an event for 8.8 Belfast City Council does not pay against all losses, damages, costs any consequential losses alleged commission on any bookings, and and expenses incurred or suffered to be suffered by the Hirer as a shall not consider any claims for by the council as a result therof result of the cancellation. same. (except in respect of any damage caused by the council, its agents or employees or otherwise not being attributable to the holding of the relevant event). 5.3 Any invoice submitted by the council for the costs of repairing damage shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 3.2 and 3.3.