1. The St Matthews Community Centre ("SMCC") T/A Cobo Community Centre ("CCC") reserves the right to refuse requests for hire and / or admission to the Centre facilities to any person or persons.
2. It is a condition of hire of the SMCC that St Matthews Parish Church sometimes known as “Cobo Church” and other associated groups may require priority use. In this eventuality the Church will endeavour to give notice of at least one month to regular users and one off bookings. Any Hirer so affected will receive a full or partial refund of any deposit or prepayment they may have made. The SMCC Management will endeavour to provide an alternative room(s) and/or date/times to those groups or individuals. The Community Centre is a designated building to be used by the Committee for Home Affairs if required in the event of a civil emergency. It is a condition of hire that bookings may be cancelled without prior notice should such an emergency arise and in these circumstances full refunds will be given.
3. Where a Hirer uses a key for entry obtained from the keysafe, the Hirer must return the key to the keysafe at the end of the hire time.
4. In accordance with current legislation; “The Smoking (Prohibition in Public Places and Workplaces)(Guernsey) Law 2005", smoking is not permitted in any part of the building nor within the grounds of the Community Centre.
5. Any accident or injury sustained on the premises must be reported to an SMCC representative immediately or as soon as possible after the event. First Aid kits can be found at the entrance door together with an Accident Report Book and in the kitchen.
6. For Hirers hosting a party/event, please note that bookings will not be firm until payment is received and such bookings are non-refundable unless at least 14 days’ notice is given.
7. The sale of alcohol is not allowed on the premises, unless an “Occasional” or “Temporary” Licence has been obtained and approval given by an SMCC representative.
8. No activity or performance that takes place during a function shall infringe any copyright or other intellectual property rights owned by any person without their prior consent.
9. The use of any substance or item such as pins, nails, tacks, hooks, adhesive tape or blue tack on floors, ceilings, windows, walls or painted surfaces is not permitted without the approval of an SMCC representative. No glitter or confetti balloons may be used in the premises.
10. The Hirer should familiarise themselves with the location of the defibrillator, the fire exits and fire extinguishers, emergency evacuation procedures and alarm controls. Hirers should discuss such procedures and controls with members of their groups. Additionally, the Hirer must ensure that in accordance with Fire Safety Regulations all gangways, doorways, stairways, fire exits and other exits and entrances are kept unobstructed at all times.
11. The number of persons permitted in any room must not be exceeded and no overcrowding is permitted. Confirmation of the numbers permitted for any function in any room can be obtained from an SMCC representative.
12. Any changes to a hire agreement or any requested variations must be submitted to an SMCC representative for consideration. The SMCC reserves the right to refuse or cancel any agreement of hire.
13. No explosives, gas containers, highly flammable substances or materials shall be brought into or used in the premises at any time.
14. Hirers must comply with Health and Safety Regulations and any other relevant local legislation whilst on the premises.
15. The Hirer is only permitted to use the rooms and facilities booked and named in the Booking Confirmation. No one may use any room (apart from communal areas, lobbies, toilet facilities and stairwells) unless they have been officially booked through the Centre Manager. Such booking times must be adhered to as there may be a session either before or immediately following yours. Note: The cupboards in the main halls and meeting rooms are for the storage of the Centre’s tables and chairs and are not under any circumstances to be used for the storage of Hirers equipment.
16. The Hirer is responsible for the effective supervision of the arrangements and activities in the halls and rooms during the period of hire so as to ensure that no nuisance or annoyance arises. Music sound levels must be kept to a reasonable level.
17. Hirers are responsible for ensuring that those persons attending their events/functions conduct themselves in an orderly manner and have due respect for the building, fittings and others who may be using / hiring rooms or facilities at that time. The SMCC will also reserve the right to ban any person from the building if their behaviour when on the premises is considered to be unacceptable.
18. The Hirer is not permitted to sub-let any room or facility without the permission of an SMCC representative.
19. The SMCC and/or an SMCC Representative reserve the right to enter the SMCC at any time.
20. If you are providing a craft, please ensure that the tables, chairs and floor are appropriately protected. In order to avoid damage to the wooden flooring in the main halls, the wearing and use of steel tipped shoes, tap dancing shoes, steel studded shoes, roller skates, hover boards or heelies are not permitted in the building. Activities involving the use of water are not permitted as water damages the wood flooring in the main halls.
21. With the exception of assistance dogs, animals are not permitted in the building unless an SMCC representative has given permission.
22. If you are hosting a party or event, you will need to provide everything that you require to host and clear up after your party including tea towels, dishcloths, dishwasher tablets if required, knives and bin bags. The Hirer is responsible for setting up their own event/function, unless arrangements have been made with an SMCC representative for any assistance as may be required.
23. Illegal acts or behaviour not in keeping with the community ethos of the SMCC are not permitted on the premises or within the SMCC grounds. The SMCC reserves the right to deem what standards are appropriate. No unlicensed gambling, gaming or entertainment of a sexual nature is permitted on the premises. No children may be admitted to films if they are below the age of classification of the film.
24. In the event that the hiring of the CCC involves the attendance of children and young persons under the age of 18 or Vulnerable Adults at the premises, the Hirer confirms that there will be in place appropriate Child and / or Adult Protection Procedures.  The Hirer agrees to ensure that all adults present on the premises are aware of these Procedures and abide by them.  The Hirer confirms that, when necessary, under the terms of Child and / or Adult Protection and Safeguarding Procedures, appropriate Criminal Records checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service will be carried out in respect of persons involved with children, young people or vulnerable adults on the premises during the course of the hiring.
25. The Hirer agrees to indemnify the SMCC against all claims in respect of loss of monies or damage to property left on the premises, including the car park and overflow car park, by the Hirer or on his/her behalf during, on, or after the period of hiring. The SMCC accepts no responsibility for any damage or theft from any vehicle or of personal property on the premises or in the car park or overflow car park.
26. The Hirer agrees to pay or refund the cost of making good any damage caused to the building, or to equipment within, appliances, utensils or crockery arising during the period of hire. Losses, breakages or damage to be reported to an SMCC representative without delay.
27. If the Hirer wishes to operate any electrical equipment within the SMCC, the Hirer must ensure it is safe to use and complies with the local Electrical Safety Regulations. The CCC reserves the right to insist that certain equipment must be subjected to appropriate testing e.g. high voltage equipment. If equipment is subject to testing, certificates must be made available for inspection by a CCC Representative.
28. No vehicles are to be left in the SMCC Car Park or overflow car park overnight without the approval of an SMCC representative. Parking in the SMCC Car Park is only for those persons working at, visiting or using the SMCC facilities at that time.
29. No advertising material (notices, posters or banners etc) can be displayed inside or outside the SMCC (including the internal notice boards) without the permission of an SMCC representative.
30. No computers or games consoles to be operated without adult supervision or the approval of an SMCC representative.
31. The use of naked lights (for example candles, night lights or oil lamps) is strictly prohibited in any part of the building, unless prior approval has been given by an SMCC representative. In addition, the use of cosmetic smoke machines is not permitted inside the premises at any time.
32. No articles are to be left in the hall or rooms overnight without the approval of an SMCC representative.
33. All rooms are to be left clean and tidy as you found them. All crockery, utensils, furniture, tables and chairs are to be cleaned and returned to their correct storage area. The kitchen area must be left clean and tidy. Toilet areas should be left clean and tidy after your event and toilets flushed as necessary. Note: A cleaning charge may be made if rooms or equipment are not left clean and tidy.
34. Black sack rubbish, food and all items for recycling including glass bottles and jars must be taken away by the Hirer. On no account should bags containing rubbish and perishables which may attract pests be left outside the building. Note: A charge will be made if the Centre has to dispose of any rubbish that you leave on the premises.
35. The halls and rooms must be vacated at the expiry time of the Hire Agreement (“Final Exit”) and no later than 11.30 p.m., with amplified music turned off no later than 11.00 p.m. unless otherwise agreed with an SMCC representative. All windows must be shut and all lights, taps, electric switches and equipment turned off. The doors to the SMCC to be locked and the building left secure.

Last updated: April 2024