Booking Times

• Access to the studio is restricted to your agreed booking times, including set-up and pack-away.
• Overstaying booked times will result in pro-rata charges at the hourly rate to the nearest 15 minutes.
• Overstaying during unstaffed hours will incur additional charges at the Standard Rate and may lead to a booking ban.
• Bookings must be made in 1-hour increments, with each session starting and ending on the hour.

Sound Policy

To protect our relationship with neighbours and ensure ongoing community harmony:

• No amplified sound is permitted past 9:00 PM.
• The building must be vacated by 9:15 PM.
• Hirers must ensure all sound-related activities, including rehearsals and checks, conclude before the cutoff.
• Non-compliance may result in future bookings being cancelled or hirers removed from our hirer list.

These measures are in place in direct response to noise complaints from our neighbours. As part of our commitment to being respectful tenants and good community members, we ask hirers to adhere strictly to these time limits.

We deeply appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a respectful and welcoming environment for everyone.

Accessing the Building

• A door code will be provided in advance of your booking via email, active 30 minutes before and after your booking. 
• This code grants entry to both doors: the outside entrance and the upstairs door.
• You are responsible for sharing the code with others in your booking. Doors must not be propped open to avoid security risks.
• Separate codes will be issued for each date if multiple bookings are made. For bookings on consecutive days, we will aim to provide one code for the entire booking.

Technical Support

• Any use of technical resources beyond the PA system must be arranged in advance via email and will incur additional charges:
  • LED Lights or Projector: £10 contribution to the CDS tech fund per day.
  • Advanced technical support (including access to the tech booth and use of our theatrical lighting rig): Requires booking time with in-house technicians, charged at £25/hr with a 4-hour minimum callout.
  • Technician Breaks:
    • Bookings of 4–6 hours: include a 30-minute break.
    • Bookings of 6–8 hours: include a 1-hour break.
    • Bookings over 8 hours: Break schedule must be agreed with technician ahead of the booking.
• Use of any haze or smoke must be pre-agreed, and can only occur when a member of CDS Staff or a CDS technician is present. If you use any haze or smoke without prior written permission, you will be fined £30.
• Unauthorised use of CDS technical equipment is strictly prohibited (this includes using tech equipment without prior written permission or accessing the tech booth without a technician) and may result in:
  • A ban on future hires.
  • A fine of £30 (at the discretion of CDS staff).
• Damaged items must be replaced by the hirer with an item of equivalent type and quality.

Storage

• We have limited storage available, and storage requirements must be arranged via email in advance and may incur additional costs.

Maintaining Our Studios

• Hirers must leave our studios and communal areas clean and tidy. Ensure windows are closed, lights are turned off, and any dishes used are cleaned.
• Report unsatisfactory conditions left by prior hirers via email at spacehire@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk.
• Extra cleaning or studio damage resulting from your booking may incur additional charges.

Booking Online / Via Email

• Bookings are confirmed once a booking confirmation form is completed, and an invoice is issued.
• We do not accept provisional or unconfirmed bookings. We are unable to pencil bookings.
• Payment Terms:
  • For bookings over two weeks away: a 20% non-refundable deposit is required at booking.
  • For bookings within two weeks: full payment is due at booking.
  • Failure to make full payment or the required deposit by the due date may result in the cancellation of your booking. 
  • Online bookings: Payment is required by card at the point of booking; a digital receipt will be provided.
  • Email bookings: An invoice is issued after completing a booking confirmation form.

Large or Recurring Hires

• Large Hire: A booking exceeding 30 hours within a 7-day period.
• Recurring Hire: Regular bookings across several weeks or terms (e.g., weekly classes, workshops).
• A 20% non-refundable deposit is needed to secure large or recurring hires, with full payment due in advance of your hire.
• CDS Staff may offer payment plans at their discretion, this must be agreed in writing prior to booking being confirmed.

Once an invoice has been raised, the following cancellation policy applies:

Booking Online / Via Email

• Cancellations More Than Two Weeks in Advance:
  • You may request an 80% refund or have the credit transferred to a future booking.
  • If choosing to transfer credit, the future booking must be confirmed at the time of cancellation. You cannot transfer credit multiple times. 
• Cancellations Less Than Two Weeks in Advance:
  • No refunds, amendments, or transfers are permitted.
• Last Minute Rate Bookings:
  • These bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Large or Recurring Hires

• Cancellations More Than Four Weeks in Advance: 

• • You may request a refund of 80% of the booking cost.
• Cancellations Less Than Four Weeks in Advance:
  • No refunds or amendments are allowed for bookings cancelled within four weeks of the first date of your booking.

Additional Notes

• CDS understands that last-minute changes may occur and will strive to consider any extenuating circumstances. However, due to the small scale of our operations, accommodations cannot be guaranteed. If this applies to your booking, please email spacehire@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk to discuss further.
• CDS is unable to offer any refunds beyond these terms unless the building is forced to close.
• While CDS will endeavour to avoid cancellations after bookings are confirmed and paid for, confirmed bookings may be cancelled if the hired space becomes unusable due to:
  • Mechanical breakdown,
  • Fire,
  • Flooding,
  • Explosion,
  • Strike, or
  • Any other unforeseen act.

By hiring our studios, you agree to the following protocols. Please read and understand them before booking.

On the Day of Your Booking

1. Cleanliness:
   • Leave the studios clean and tidy, and return all furniture and equipment to where you found them.
   • Close all windows and turn off all electrical appliances.
   • Additional cleaning or damage may incur extra costs.
2. Footwear:
   • Outside shoes are not allowed in the studios unless cleaned before walking on the studio floors.
   • We unfortunately cannot accommodate hard soled dance shoes including tap shoes, flamenco shoes, etc.
   • Inappropriate footwear may result in cleaning or floor repair charges.
3. Personal Belongings:
   • You may not leave any items in the studios unless pre-approved by CDS staff.
4. Food and Drinks:
   • Only bottled drinks are permitted in the dance studios.
   • Food and drinks can be consumed in the communal areas.
5. Wi-Fi:
   • Free Wi-Fi is available in communal areas. Check signage for login details.
6. Noise:
   • Ensure you leave quietly after late rehearsals to respect our neighbors.
   • Strictly no amplified sound is allowed after 10 PM. 
7. Smoking:
   • Smoking is prohibited inside the building or near fire exits.
   • Use the designated smoking area at the front of the building.
8. Access Requirements:
   • Hirers are encouraged to review our Visit page and email spacehire@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk for specific access requirements.
9. Safeguarding Policy:
   • If working with children or vulnerable adults, you must have a Safeguarding Policy in place and may be required to provide a copy upon request.

Usage of Technical Equipment

• Unauthorised use of CDS technical equipment is strictly prohibited 
  • This includes using tech equipment without prior written permission or accessing the tech booth without a technician and may result in:
    • A ban on future hires.
    • A fine of £30 (at the discretion of CDS staff).
  • Damaged items must be replaced by the hirer with an item of equivalent type and quality.
  • Improper or unauthorised use is dangerous and poses a fire hazard. Violations may result in immediate removal and a ban on future hires.

Safeguarding Children, Young People, and Vulnerable Adults

1. Safeguarding Policy:
   • In line with our Safeguarding Policy (available on our website), children under 18 must always be accompanied by a responsible adult, such as a guardian, teacher or event organiser.
   • For bookings involving children under 16, CDS requires a chaperone ratio of at least 1 adult per 10 children.
   • Outside of classes or rehearsals, responsible adults must accompany their children throughout the building.
   • Hirers working with children or vulnerable adults must have a relevant Safeguarding Policy in place and provide a copy upon request.

Filming and Photography

• Filming & Photography Guidelines:
  • All filming and photography must respect our Accountable Space Principles
  • Permission must be sought in advance for filming or photographing the studios for commercial purposes.

First Aid

• Health and Safety:
  • Ensure no activities occur that may endanger the health and safety of anyone in the building.
  • For higher-risk activities that may result in injury or damage, a Risk Assessment and appropriate liability insurance must be submitted in advance.
• Reporting Incidents:
  • Report all accidents, incidents, or near misses (no matter how minor) immediately to the office or message us via WhatsApp at 020 8981 6617 if no CDS staff member is present.
  • Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and the welfare of others while using the studios.
  • In case of serious injury or illness, provide immediate assistance and call 999.
  • A First Aid kit is available in each studio and outside of the office.
  • Report all incidents to manager@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk or via the emergency numbers listed below.

Emergency Numbers and Information

• Address: Chisenhale Dance Space, 64-84 Chisenhale Road, London E3 5QZ
• Emergency Contact via WhatsApp: 020 8981 6617 (This is the fastest method of communication).
• Office Phone Number: 020 8191 0305

Remote Access

• CDS uses a key code entry system. Individual access codes will be provided via email for your allotted time.
• Entry Codes:
  • Use the code at the downstairs Purple Door and upstairs White Door.
  • To unlock: Enter the code followed by the “#” key. The doors will lock automatically.
• Contact CDS Staff via Whatsapp if you experience any access issues.

Cleaning

• Regular cleaners ensure the studios, public areas, surfaces, and toilets remain clean.
• Report unsatisfactory conditions left by prior hirers via email at spacehire@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk.

Fire Emergency Plan

1. 1. Fire Escapes:
      • Fire exits include the main staircase entry and the external fire escape from the Performance Studio.
      • Keep fire exits clear at all times—do not obstruct them.
   2. If You Discover a Fire:
      • Ring the Fire Brigade on 999, give the name and address of Chisenhale Dance Space, and do not hang up until the operator says you may do so.
      • Leave the building via the nearest exit and proceed to the assembly point at the school gates across the road on Chisenhale Road.
      • Do not attempt to extinguish the fire.
      • Do not re-enter the building unless directed to do so by the most senior identifiable fire marshal present or by the Fire Brigade.
   3. If You Hear the Fire Alarm:
      • Immediately evacuate the building using the nearest exit.
      • Proceed to the assembly point at the school gates on Chisenhale Road.
      • Do not re-enter the building until emergency services declare it safe.

• Note: A fire alarm test occurs every Thursday around 10 AM. If the alarm lasts longer than 10 seconds or occurs outside of these times, evacuate the building immediately.

Gas Emergency

• If you smell gas, suspect a leak, or hear carbon monoxide alarms beeping, call National Grid immediately at 0800 111 999.