Research Studio

As an artist-led organisation, we support independent artists and those based in our local community to access affordable studio space to make their projects happen, keeping costs as low as possible for them. Our rates are as follows:

Community Rate: our lowest rate; for artists without funding and not-for-profit projects
Please contact us through spacehire@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk if you are eligible to book at this rate.

Standard Rate: our most common rate; for artists with funding, larger companies / organisations. or activity with the potential to generate profit

Bespoke Rate: for commercial / corporate hires, casting, filming and shoots

CDS members receive a 15% discount on their applicable rate.

As a registered charity, the hire of our spaces is a crucial source of income which directly feeds into our work supporting independent artists. We ask that you choose the most appropriate rate when you book online or self identify what rate you require when booking via email.

Please note, it is at CDS’s discretion to charge for the space at the correct rate and we ask that you pay for what you can afford.

The majority of of hires can be booked via our online form (see below) or by emailing us.

However, for any large, recurring or bespoke hires we ask that you discuss your booking with us first and book via email.

We define as:

• Large hire – a hire of over 30 hours in a 7 day period.
• Recurring – a regular hire that takes place over several weeks/termly e.g weekly classes or workshops

Please email spacehire@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk to begin a conversation.

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.

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 endeavor 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.

Want to share a video of your rehearsal, class or workshop online? We’d love for you to tag us @ChisenhaleDance on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

If you want to record a professional quality video, please email spacehire@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk to book a film shoot.