Room Hire FAQ

What's our availability?

Check our availability and current reservations via our bookings calendar HERE

Are there any extra costs?

We will ask for a refundable damage deposit of up to £250 for any event. You will be invoiced for this at the time of booking.

Can I get a discount?

Discounts are available to local organisations and groups as part of our mission to support the Whitstable community. Generally these will not apply to commercial hires unless there is a clear community benefit. Please see our Community Value Discount Policy HERE for full details and information on the application procces.

To apply for a hire discount, please complete the application form HERE.

Does the hall have a PA?

Yes it does! Thanks to F1 Sound Co Ltd, there is a FunctionOne PA installed in the hall for the community to utilise free of charge.

Please know that the system is restricted unless you utilise an experienced Sound Engineer. We recommend the team at F1 as we've worked with them many times to provide the best quality sound experiences, please feel free to contact them here: https://www.f1soundcoltd.com/

We can recommend other engineers if F1 are unavailable for your event, just get in touch.

Can you help us advertise our event?

Yes! We will promote your event via our social media feeds, in our events calendar and in and outside the centre to ensure it is highlighted. 

We are also happy to display vinyl banners on the day of your event should you wish to provide us with one.

Please provide us with marketing material after your booking is confirmed.

What if I need to cancel?

One-off events will not be charged if they cancel more than 28 days before their event. A 50% cancellation fee applies until 7 days before the event, 100% thereafter.

Long term hirers are asked to give us one months notice of cancellation.

How do I book?

We are happy to provisionally reserve a space for you if you need to check details before confirming.

Confirmation of booking is made upon receipt of a completed hire agreement, risk assessment and paid damage deposit.

Full hire fees are to be paid in advance of your booking within invoiced payment terms.

If you would like to check availability please look at our online calendar.

Can I serve alcohol at my event?
The centre is a licenced premises meaning the sale and supply of alcohol is permitted but only if authorised by our Designated Premises Supervisor and licence holder.
 
We have a "gig-bar" in the hall making it easy to offer your guests bottled, canned and mixed beverages. This can be opened and staffed for your booking but this must be arranged at the time of booking.
 
If you do not wish to utilise the bar, you can encourage guests to bring their own beverages but this should be monitored by the hiring responsible person and must be stated at the time of booking.
Can you help me set up?

Our caretaker is available by prior arrangement at the time of booking, to help with set up and take down. This additional service is available at £20.00 per hour.

Refuse is required to be removed by the hirer, we can sort this for you but a flat fee of £40.00 is payable for up to 660L and must be arranged prior to your event.

Where can we park?

By prior arrangement you can park on the forecourt outside St Mary's Hall to unload your vehicle, it will then need to be moved to an appropriate parking space.

Parking is available in Shaftsbury Road car park directly behind the centre. It is a pay and display car park operated by the local council.

Anything Else?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please visit our contact page HERE