Thank you for considering hiring the Heath and Reach Scout Hut. So that we keep the venue well maintained for all users, please note and respect the terms of use given below.
Setting your expectations
Please note that this is an old building with very limited parking. It is certainly not ideal for everyone or every purpose, but we hope can be useful to village residents for small club events or similar.
Please note that these buildings and grounds belong to the Scout Association and that Scouting is the designated use of the property. We are keen to see other village residents make use of the facility, but not to the detriment of our main users which will be the prioirity for bookings.
Enquiries
Please use the form on the Contact us page for initial rental enquiries so we can discuss options, and whether the building may be suitable for your needs.
Rates
Please contact us for the latest rates. At the time of writing:
- Hourly rate: £15 an hour, reduced to £12 for village residents, charities and long-term bookings.
- Full day: £75, reduced to £60 for village residents and charities.
- Children’s parties are allowed but under 11’s only.
One-off users will be asked to leave an additional £50 damage deposit, which will be returned subject to inspection.
Terminology
- “Hut” refers to Heath and Reach Scout premises on Gig Lane, Heath and Reach, near Leighton Buzzard.
- “Group” refers to Heath and Reach Scout Hut.
- “Booking secretary” is whoever you are dealing with for your booking.
What you are hiring
Hiring the building entitles the hirer to the use of:
- The main hall
- The toilets
- The small patio
- The parking space at the front
- Please note the kitchen is not suitable for cooking or food provision. If you want to make drinks and wash cups that is fine.
- Equipment:
- Metal chairTables
The rental does not include any other areas or equipment not listed.
Cleaning is not included in the rates, it must be cleaned after use.
Storage
No storage is provided. Long-term hirers wishing to use or store equipment should discuss with us. Extra charges are likely to be levied.
Grounds
The grounds are very limited.
- The barbecues at the back may be used by prior arrangement, but fuel must be supplied and must be left clean.
This should specifically be discussed if required so we can be considerate to neighbours. - Do not allow anyone to climb on the fences or barbecues.
Parking
- There is one parking space at the front of the Hut only. Other users should park considerately in the village.
Disabled access
- Please be aware in advance that it is an old building and access is not ideal for some disabilities. If there are special requirements please discuss them in advance with us to avoid disappointment or inconvenience.
- An access ramp is available for wheelchairs by prior arrangement.
Terms of Hire
Charges
These will be discussed separately.
- Setting up/putting away time must be included in the hire time.
- Anyone found to have used the venue outside their allotted time will be asked to pay an additional £10 per hour.
- All hire charges must be paid before the commencement of the booking.
Children attending
If any under 18’s are attending then we insist that they must be supervised at “Scout” approved levels. That is:
| Under 6 years | There must be at least one adult or helper to six young people, plus the adult in charge. For example if there are 10 under 6’s there must be at least 3 adults. |
| 6 years and over | Minimum two adults at all times. |
These are bare minimums. Depending on the activity and for safety it may be advisable to have substantially more.
Cancellation
We reserve the right to give notice that specific hire dates otherwise considered booked will not be available, in order to accommodate Scouting activities or other special requirements of other hirers from time to time. If so, reasonable notice will be given except in emergencies.
If the hirer wishes to cancel their booking they must give one weeks notice. If this notice is not given, then 50% of the booking fee will be forfeited.
Keys
For short term rentals someone will meet and unlock/lock, and inspect the property.
If keys are loaned they are for the use of the hirer only, they must not be passed on nor copies made.
The hirer must be present during the agreed period of occupancy. Responsibility cannot be transferred to another person.
Hirers are required to agree to all of the conditions laid out in this document before confirmation will be given for use of the premises. Submission of a signed booking form, deposit or payment for hire is deemed by the Group as acceptance of these conditions by the hirer.
Health and Safety
The person designated on the booking form as the hirer, will be the responsible person for any health and safety matters during the time that the individual / group is hiring the Hut. If an incident occurs that necessitates the calling of any of the emergency services, then you must notify the Booking Secretary as soon as possible.
Smoking is forbidden in or immediately around the building.
Neither the patio or kitchen areas may be used by under 18’s unsupervised.
Fire
The Hirer must make themselves aware of the location of the smoke detectors, fire exits (which are to be kept clear of obstruction), fire evacuation point and fire extinguishers.
The Hirer must make they fully understand fire instructions in the building.
Once the emergency services have been called, the Hirer must notify the Booking Secretary immediately.
Accidents
The Hirer must report all accidents involving injury to the public as soon as possible. An accident form (will be provided) must be completed and passed to the Booking Secretary when you return your key or as soon as possible for regular hirers. A First Aid kit is located in the kitchen.
Animals
Animals are not permitted in the grounds or buildings unless permission has been sought from the Booking Secretary.
Heating
The building is fitted with electric heaters.
Heating timings should be pre-agreed, and the heaters must not be altered.
Kitchen use
The kitchen is not suitable for hire for cooking or serving food.
The Group takes no responsibility for any adverse infections, illness, reactions or such like during the preparation, serving or consumption of any food products. No animals will be allowed into the kitchen.
Children should not be allowed in the kitchen unless closely supervised by adults.
Insurance cover
The Group holds Public Liability Insurance cover for itself. Users are required to take reasonable care to ensure no accidents occur within the site boundaries. Regular users of the Hut must hold their own public and personal liability insurance.
Please note we may be able to offer some assistance here – please discuss with us.
Damages
The hirer will indemnify the Group for the cost of repair of any damage done to any part of the building or to any contents in or around the building, which may occur during the period of hire, as a result of the hiring, e.g. the hirer is responsible for breakages to any of the building’s furniture.
Breakages must be reported and you may be required to pay for repair or replacement items
Music, Alcohol, Gambling, Film and TV
The Group does not hold a licence to permit the playing of music on the Hut premises or to permit the sale of alcohol, gambling, the public showing of films/video, nor the reception of a TV signal. For any of these activities, the hirer must provide evidence of their own license to the Group, before agreement can be given.
Personal Effects and Use of Electrical Equipment
The hirer will be responsible for the security of personal effects brought onto the premises by themselves or their associates. The hirer will require insurance in place to cover such losses.
We do not recommend that the hirer brings on to the site any electrical equipment, but if this is required then it is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure that this equipment has been PAT tested and the hirer takes all responsibility for the use of said equipment. You must discuss any planned equipment in advance with the Booking Secretary to avoid problems.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- The hirer will be responsible for the supervision of the premises they have hired, the contents, their care, health and safety from damage, change or injury of any sort and the behaviour of all persons using the building whatever their capacity.
- If required, the hirer will make their own risk assessment of the use of the premises.
- All advertising of events to be held in the premise must be approved by the Group before being used.
- Keep attendee numbers below the fire safety limits for the building (check with booking secretary as this varies depending on the use).
Don’ts
- The hirer will not sublet.
- The hirer will ensure a single adult is never left alone on site.
- The hirer will not use the premises for any unlawful purpose or in any unlawful way nor do anything or bring onto the premises anything that may endanger the same or invalidate any insurance policies in respect thereof.
- The hirer will not make any alterations or additions to the premises. No fixtures are to be installed or taken away.
- The hirer will not use, consume or combust any food, drink, or other temporary materials, e.g. fire wood, located in or around the Hut, unless they have brought those items onto the premises themselves.
- No products containing nuts will be brought onto the premises.
- The use of fireworks is prohibited.
- No drugs or alcohol will be brought onto the premises.
- Produce more than half a wheelie bin of rubbish at your booking. All other rubbish must be taken away.
Neighbours
Please respect the neighbourhood and our neighbours:
- Please be quiet on leaving the building.
- Please do not block Gig Lane or any neighbour properties.
- Please park sensibly in the village.
- The Hut cannot normally be booked for events after 9pm out of respect for neighbours.
However for rare events we can discuss options. Though we request a noise curfew from 10pm to 8am.
End of hire period
Before leaving the premises, the hirer will ensure:
- Everything is left in a clean and tidy condition.
- All chairs and tables are put away.
- Any kitchen equipment used has been washed up, dried and put away.
- The kitchen is completely clean and tidy, and work surfaces are clear.
- All rubbish has put in the rubbish or recycling bins outside. Do not leave rubbish in the internal bins.
- All lights, taps and appliances have been turned off.
- All toilets have been flushed and are clean.
- The keys will be returned to from whoever they were obtained.