Terms & conditions
Museum Hire Terms and Conditions
1. A non-returnable deposit of £500 or 50% of the agreed hire fee is payable on booking. The balance of the hire fee will be settled once the event has been held. The Client will be invoiced for the outstanding balance and this should be settled immediately. Booking is confirmed only when the Client has completed the booking form and the Museum has received the deposit.
2. The Client and persons authorised by him/her for the purposes of the function shall have permission to enter upon and use those parts of the property discussed and expressly agreed between the Client or his/her nominated representative and the Charles Dickens Museum.
3. It is agreed that permission hereby given access to any room or location of the Property except those which are expressly excluded by the Charles Dickens Museum.
4. A minimum of one months’ notice is required for Full Museum Hire during normal operating hours. We would strongly recommend the Client visits the site prior to the hire to discuss arrangements with an appropriate staff member.
5. It is the responsibility of the Client to provide both catering provisions and catering staff to ensure the efficient operation of the event. We utilise a list of Museum Approved Caterers who are familiar with the space and set-up of the museum. We may be willing to accommodate outside catering depending on the approval of the management.
6. Caterers and the Client will have access to the museum for evening events from 5.30pm at earliest convenience. Any storage or early delivery needs must be discussed and approved by management.
7. It is the responsibility of the Client to provide both catering provisions and catering staff to ensure the efficient operation of the event. Museum staff will be on site for the duration of the event but will not be responsible for catering duties, serving of food / beverages, clearing of plates or cloakroom services. It is advised that events of 50 guests or more will necessitate a catering team of 4 people.
8. Drinks are only permitted in the café/bar area on the ground floor and in the Boardroom on the first floor. Drinks may not be served in any other area of the Museum so as to upkeep and conserve the décor, furniture and objects within the museum. Please note that we allow only white or sparkling wine and clear spirits in the Museum, no other alcoholic beverages are permitted.
9. Food is only permitted in the café area on the ground floor. Food is not permitted in any other areas of the Museum so as to upkeep and conserve the décor, furniture and objects within the Museum.
10. We would request that you state clearly on your invitation that stilettos heels are not permitted; these cause considerable damage to the Museum’s original 200+ year old wooden flooring. Please contact us directly if you need a copy of the ‘No stilettos’ logo. We also do not permit guests to carry large handbags or luggage while exploring the Museum during an event.
11. All equipment (such as candles, flowers, linen, cutlery etc.) brought into the museum for the event must be first agreed with management. The original layout of any room in the museum / café may not be altered unless previously agreed with management and completed under supervision of staff. The rooms must be returned to original layout upon close of the event.
12. Guests may arrive at the Museum no earlier than 6.30pm for evening events.
13. The Client must ensure that all guests are vacated from the museum by 10.30pm as the premises are located on a residential street and subject to noise restrictions. All parties, including catering staff must leave the premises by 11.00pm at latest. We suggest that taxis and transport are arranged prior to this time.
14. Due to Health and Safety restrictions, the museum can comfortably hold 60 guests. The maximum number of guests is 80 people, this must be agreed with management and any party with a guest list greater than 60 people will be subject to an additional staffing surcharge of £80.00.
15. The Client agrees to make good forthwith to the satisfaction of the Charles Dickens Museum or at the option of the Charles Dickens Museum to pay the reasonable cost of making good or full compensation for any loss or damage to the property or to the contents thereof arising out of the facilities granted to the Client, providing always that each claim for loss or damage is notified to the Client within 14 days of such completion. In the case of works of art or other chattels of value the Client will accept the decision of an expert appointed by agreement between the Charles Dickens Museum and the Client (and in default of any agreement by the current president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) as to the reasonableness of the cost of making good or as to the amount of full compensation.
16. The Client will indemnify and keep indemnified the Charles Dickens Museum against all actions, proceedings, costs, claims and demands which may be brought or made against the Charles Dickens Museum in respect of personal injury and damage to property arising directly or indirectly out of the activities in connection with this event.
17. The Client or his/her representative will ensure that staff and visitors of the Client will not smoke within the Charles Dickens Museum or anywhere on the premises including the garden.
18. In the event of hiring under this agreement being prevented by force majeure or by any cause whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of the parties hereto or in the event of any breach or non-observance by the Charles Dickens Museum of any of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Client (without prejudice to any other remedies) may forthwith determine this Agreement but hereby undertakes to discuss with and pay to the Charles Dickens Museum reasonable compensation to take account of any expenses or losses incurred by the Charles Dickens Museum prior to the date of such determination.
We will do our best to accommodate individual requirements and ensure you have a comfortable and pleasant event. Please note that the Museum Staff have a responsibility to conserve and protect the Museum and contents and ensure
1. A non-returnable deposit of £500 or 50% of the agreed hire fee is payable on booking. The balance of the hire fee will be settled once the event has been held. The Client will be invoiced for the outstanding balance and this should be settled immediately. Booking is confirmed only when the Client has completed the booking form and the Museum has received the deposit.
2. The Client and persons authorised by him/her for the purposes of the function shall have permission to enter upon and use those parts of the property discussed and expressly agreed between the Client or his/her nominated representative and the Charles Dickens Museum.
3. It is agreed that permission hereby given access to any room or location of the Property except those which are expressly excluded by the Charles Dickens Museum.
4. A minimum of one months’ notice is required for Full Museum Hire during normal operating hours. We would strongly recommend the Client visits the site prior to the hire to discuss arrangements with an appropriate staff member.
5. It is the responsibility of the Client to provide both catering provisions and catering staff to ensure the efficient operation of the event. We utilise a list of Museum Approved Caterers who are familiar with the space and set-up of the museum. We may be willing to accommodate outside catering depending on the approval of the management.
6. Caterers and the Client will have access to the museum for evening events from 5.30pm at earliest convenience. Any storage or early delivery needs must be discussed and approved by management.
7. It is the responsibility of the Client to provide both catering provisions and catering staff to ensure the efficient operation of the event. Museum staff will be on site for the duration of the event but will not be responsible for catering duties, serving of food / beverages, clearing of plates or cloakroom services. It is advised that events of 50 guests or more will necessitate a catering team of 4 people.
8. Drinks are only permitted in the café/bar area on the ground floor and in the Boardroom on the first floor. Drinks may not be served in any other area of the Museum so as to upkeep and conserve the décor, furniture and objects within the museum. Please note that we allow only white or sparkling wine and clear spirits in the Museum, no other alcoholic beverages are permitted.
9. Food is only permitted in the café area on the ground floor. Food is not permitted in any other areas of the Museum so as to upkeep and conserve the décor, furniture and objects within the Museum.
10. We would request that you state clearly on your invitation that stilettos heels are not permitted; these cause considerable damage to the Museum’s original 200+ year old wooden flooring. Please contact us directly if you need a copy of the ‘No stilettos’ logo. We also do not permit guests to carry large handbags or luggage while exploring the Museum during an event.
11. All equipment (such as candles, flowers, linen, cutlery etc.) brought into the museum for the event must be first agreed with management. The original layout of any room in the museum / café may not be altered unless previously agreed with management and completed under supervision of staff. The rooms must be returned to original layout upon close of the event.
12. Guests may arrive at the Museum no earlier than 6.30pm for evening events.
13. The Client must ensure that all guests are vacated from the museum by 10.30pm as the premises are located on a residential street and subject to noise restrictions. All parties, including catering staff must leave the premises by 11.00pm at latest. We suggest that taxis and transport are arranged prior to this time.
14. Due to Health and Safety restrictions, the museum can comfortably hold 60 guests. The maximum number of guests is 80 people, this must be agreed with management and any party with a guest list greater than 60 people will be subject to an additional staffing surcharge of £80.00.
15. The Client agrees to make good forthwith to the satisfaction of the Charles Dickens Museum or at the option of the Charles Dickens Museum to pay the reasonable cost of making good or full compensation for any loss or damage to the property or to the contents thereof arising out of the facilities granted to the Client, providing always that each claim for loss or damage is notified to the Client within 14 days of such completion. In the case of works of art or other chattels of value the Client will accept the decision of an expert appointed by agreement between the Charles Dickens Museum and the Client (and in default of any agreement by the current president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) as to the reasonableness of the cost of making good or as to the amount of full compensation.
16. The Client will indemnify and keep indemnified the Charles Dickens Museum against all actions, proceedings, costs, claims and demands which may be brought or made against the Charles Dickens Museum in respect of personal injury and damage to property arising directly or indirectly out of the activities in connection with this event.
17. The Client or his/her representative will ensure that staff and visitors of the Client will not smoke within the Charles Dickens Museum or anywhere on the premises including the garden.
18. In the event of hiring under this agreement being prevented by force majeure or by any cause whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of the parties hereto or in the event of any breach or non-observance by the Charles Dickens Museum of any of the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Client (without prejudice to any other remedies) may forthwith determine this Agreement but hereby undertakes to discuss with and pay to the Charles Dickens Museum reasonable compensation to take account of any expenses or losses incurred by the Charles Dickens Museum prior to the date of such determination.
We will do our best to accommodate individual requirements and ensure you have a comfortable and pleasant event. Please note that the Museum Staff have a responsibility to conserve and protect the Museum and contents and ensure