Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring the Barn
We get asked several questions at the enquiry stage, so we have put together a list that may assist you in deciding if The Barn is going to be suitable for your event.
To assist you in deciding if The Barn is going to meet your needs, please check out our walk-through video by following this link.
If there is a question that we have not included, please contact us by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
Facilities at The Barn
Are high-chairs provided at the hall?
You will need to make your own provisions as we do not have high-chairs.
Are tables and chairs provided at the hall?
We have 1 large wooden table permanently fixed in the main hall measuring 137cm X 76cm.
There are also 9 small card tables and 8 lightweight folding tables that are approx 70cm by 175cm and can seat 6-8 adults.
We also have 40 chairs available in the hall.
Do you have baby changing facilities?
We have a baby changing table in the ladies toilet and potties and steps in both the gentlemen and ladies’ toilets. There are also nappy sacks and a bin provided in the ladies toilet though we do ask these are removed from the premises at the end of your booking.
Do you provide food and refreshments?
We don’t provide food or refreshment, but we have crockery and cutlery, etc.
There are 3 local pubs who would be happy to provide catering for your event. You can find further details from the following link
Is there disabled access and facilities?
Unfortunately, we do not have the funding at this stage to adapt the building. The main building is accessed by 2 steps with a handrail on this level. There are the toilets and kitchen area. The main hall is accessed by a further 3 steps with a handrail. Inside the main hall, there are 3 further steps up onto the stage area and a fire exit.
Is there a garden or play area?
We have a large, fully enclosed garden area that is accessible via the fire exit without the need to walk through the car park. It is an all grass area and play equipment can be brought along to use.
If you intend using the garden area for outside activities, please check with us first to make sure that the grass is cut to a reasonable level – weather permitting.
Is there Wi-fi installed at The Barn?
Currently, we do not have wi-fi installed at The Barn.
What will I need to bring for the kitchen?
You should perhaps consider the following items:
- Additional serving jugs
- Baking trays
- Bin Bags
- Chopping boards
- Cling film/ food wrap
- Condiments (salt & pepper etc.)
- Cooking pans
- Drinking glasses
- Kitchen knives
- Drinking cups
- Plates & Bowls
- Tin Foil
What kitchen facilities are there?
The Barn has had a complete kitchen refit and includes an induction hob together with a fridge and freezer. We have a kettle, kettle urn, microwave, small sized oven, mugs, cups and saucers, cutlery, a small selection of serving dishes and plates. Basic utensils, bread knives, bottle openers etc are also supplied. We also have 3 juice/ water jugs, kitchen towel, tea towels and black bags are supplied in a small quantity, but we advise you to bring your own to ensure you have enough for your booking. You will need glasses or plastic cups, plates and bowls, additional serving jugs.
Other information
Can alcohol be brought into the building?
You must not sell alcohol during an event or party without a licence being got from Central Bedfordshire Council prior to your booking date. To apply for TENS licence, initially, please email the Bookings Secretary by clicking here. Central Bedfordshire Council charge £21 for the licence.
If guests are socially drinking during a private party, this is allowed as long as you keep noise levels low and people are respectful of our neighbours.
Can I hold a BBQ in the grounds?
We do not permit barbecues as they can present a risk to users and often result in hot coals being left that might present a fire risk.
Can I put an inflatable in the hall?
Unfortunately, the hall is too small to fit a commercial sized bouncy castle or inflatable but the smaller plug-in type will fit. The absolute maximum size cannot exceed 3m x 3m. This will also need to be placed against the wall to the right when looking into the Hall.
On good weather days, you can use the outside area for play equipment.
Bouncy castles and other inflatables are not permitted unless installed and supervised by a professional supplier as part of an authorised event. The inflatable must have a PIPA tag on the equiptment
Speak to the local supplier Sunshine Softplay for advice on what will fit in the hall, as they have a wide variety of equipment and they may be familiar with the layout of The Barn.
Please refer to the FAQ “Is there a floor-plan”
Can I visit the barn before my booking?
This can be arranged by prior appointment.
In the first instance, we have a floor-plan on the website to view together with a video of the premises presented as a walk-through.
We would however ask that you do not just turn up if there is already a booking/ event taking place.
Just complete our ‘Contact Us’ form and we will reply usually by the next working day if not sooner.
Can I put up a Gazebo?
Yes, you can, providing it is of the domestic type and not a commercially installed one. The best place for this would be at the end or back of the barn. Please do not block the Fire Exits or cause an obstruction in the event of an emergency.
How many people can the hall hold?
The Barn is licenced to hold 40 people both seated and standing under the Fire Regulations issued for The Barn.
For community and charity events that are held both inside and outside the barn, there are no upper limits, providing the number of visitors fluctuates during the event.
We have had several events where a flowing number of guests of between 30 – 100+ come and go. These events include – Charity fundraising, jumble sales, community groups, etc.
We are licenced to hold 50 people seated or 75 standing under the Fire Regulations issued for The Barn.
For community and charity events that are held both inside and outside the barn, there are no upper limits, providing the number of visitors fluctuate during the event.
Is there a floor-plan of The Barn to view?
You can view the floor-plan by following this link: The Barn Floor-plan
Is there a garden or outside play area?
We have a large, fully enclosed garden area that is accessible via the fire exit without the need to walk through the car park. It is all grass area and play equipment can be brought along to use.
Where do I collect the keys?
A member of The Barn Committee will meet you at your allotted time to open up for you.
Is there a video of The Barn I can look at before deciding on making a booking?
Yes, there is. Click on the following link to view the video – heath village barn video.
Payment
Can I pay in cash to hire The Barn?
Sorry, this method is no longer available. We accept bank credit payments into the account details provided on our invoice.
Can I pay by cheque
Unfortunately not. We can only accept payment by bank credit. Our bank details will be shown on the invoice generated for the booking.
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes you can. The option to pay by credit/debit card will be shown on your invoice together with a link to the payment area if available.
Our payment processor is Stripe. We do not physically handle any transactions.
Can I pay over the phone?
Sorry no. We are not permitted to take card payments over the phone or manually for security and compliance reasons.
Can I pay using PayPal?
Unfortunately not.
Are there any cancellation charges?
We apply the following charges in the event of a cancelled booking:
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your booking, the following refunds will apply:
* Over 14 days before the start of your booking: Full refund (minus a £10 fee).
* Between 14 and 7 days before the start of your booking: 50% refund.
* Under 7 days before the start of your booking: Sorry – no refunds.
* If your plans change and you request to come on a different date, then we will always try to accommodate your change, but we cannot guarantee that your request can be met.
* If you leave The Barn early due to weather, failure of your equipment, or any reason not within the control and responsibility of The Barn, or if you cancel or change your booking less than 7 days before your date of booking, no refund will be given.
We will refund the £50 security deposit in full.
Heath Village Barn Committee reserves the right to cancel this hiring by written notice to the Hirer in the event of:
(a) the premises being required for use as a Polling Station for a Parliamentary or Local Government election or by- election;
(b) Heath Village Barn Committee reasonably considering that (i) such hiring will lead to a breach of licensing conditions, if applicable, or other legal or statutory requirements, or (ii) unlawful or unsuitable activities will take place at the premises as a result of this hiring
(c) the premises becoming unfit for the use intended by the Hirer.
(d) an emergency requiring use of the premises as a shelter for the victims of flooding, snowstorm, fire, explosion or those at risk of these or similar disasters. In any such case, the Hirer shall be entitled to a refund of any deposit already paid, but the Village Hall shall not be liable to the Hirer for any resulting direct or indirect loss or damages whatsoever.
How much does it cost to hire The Barn
per hour and part thereof. At weekends, there is a minimum period of 3 hours charged.
From 1st January 2024, the hourly rates to hire The Barn are as follows:
- One-off hires – £13.00
- Club, groups & societies – £12.50, subject to a minimum booking of 4 slots.
How soon do I have to pay for my booking?
The date we require payment for your booking is shown on the invoice emailed over to you. We will need to release your booking if payment becomes overdue.
What is a security deposit?
You must pay a Security Deposit, currently £50. Provided that no damage or loss has been caused to the Hall or its contents or immediate surrounds and no noise or disturbance caused during the period of the hire and the premises have been left in a clean and tidy condition, the Security Deposit shall be refunded to you within 10 days after the hire. We reserve the right to retain all or part of the Security Deposit in the event that we consider that loss or damage to the Hall or its contents or it surrounds has occurred or noise/disturbance caused as a result of the hire or in the event that the Hall has not been left in a clean condition.
When can I get my security deposit back?
We collect a £50 security deposit together with the cost of hiring The Barn.
We will refund this within 10 days, providing that you have caused no damage or loss to the Hall, its contents or immediate surrounds.
We will send you an email requesting bank details in order for the refund to be made. Please check your junk/spam folders if this has not been received within this time-span.
